Cardiac Imaging

While cardiac ultrasound is the widely used imaging modality for heart assessments, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear imaging are also used and are often complimentary, each offering specific details about the heart other modalities cannot. For this reason the clinical question being asked often determines the imaging test that will be used.

Terrebonne General Medical Center Installs First Toshiba Medical Infinix-i Sky +

Patients at Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) now have access to safe, high-quality interventional cardiac exams with the installation of Toshiba Medical’s InfinixTM-i Sky +. TGMC, a nationally recognized healthcare organization and home to one of the most advanced vascular interventional practices in the country, is the first healthcare provider in the United States to install the Infinix-i Sky +.

Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) Announces New Fellows and Residents-In-Training Partnership with Toshiba Medical

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) and Toshiba Medical today announce a new partnership dedicated to providing career development opportunities for radiology fellows and residents in the United States. Toshiba Medical’s support will allow 250 U.S.-based fellows and residents to join SCCT at no charge for one year, enhancing their early career opportunities and building their awareness of the growing contributions of cardiovascular computed tomography.

Thumbnail

Coding for Clarity: Echocardiography Gains Two New CPT Add-On Codes

The approval of two new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes acknowledges echocardiographic myocardial strain imaging and myocardial contrast perfusion echocardiography as emerging technologies, often a necessary step before a code is promoted to payable status.

ASNC Releases Dose-Reduction Guidelines for Nuclear Cardiology

Technological improvements in image acquisition and software processing in nuclear cardiology should allow physicians to shave patient imaging times dramatically or cut radiation doses fourfold, according to a new preferred practice statement from the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC).

Example of a curved MPR image reconstruction of entire length of of a coronary artery on a cardiac CT scan to better show calcified and soft plaque burden inside the vessel. The thumbnail dots on the left side of the image are cross sectional views of the vessel. Siemens example on the expo floor.

The CCTA Playbook: A Guide to Coding, Reimbursement and Operations

A compendium of the business intelligence required to launch a CCTA service

Be Mindful of the Stark Law in CCTA Alliances

Numerous radiology groups are currently discussing arrangements whereby cardiologists and the radiologists would essentially split the responsibilities for reading coronary CT angiography (CCTA) studies. Most commonly, as proposed, the cardiologists would read and generate a signed interpretation report, but limited to the cardiac portion of the

Around the web

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.