Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) nuclear imaging and computed tomography (CT) scanners have been used separately for cardiology, oncology and neurologic imaging for more than 20 years. In recent years there has been a trend toward combined SPECT/CT systems to enable faster and more accurate functional and anatomic assessment using a single imaging system in one imaging session.
July 8, 2010 – The annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) event has traditionally been a symposium for interventional cardiologists. However, as an increasing number of hybrid intervention/minimally invasive surgical procedures bring surgeons into the arena of cath lab techniques, TCT started a course for surgeons who specialize in hybrid procedures.
The barriers that once separated interven-tionalists, cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons and electrophysiologists are rapidly being reduced by the convergence of transcatheter technologies and the need for high-quality fluoroscopic imaging systems.
Providing exceptional cardiovascular care for patients to achieve the best possible outcomes is the number one goal for ...
July 8, 2010 – Users of eMix’s cloud-based sharing technology now have the ability to preview exams from any Web browser or smart phone, thanks to a new feature called eMix Preview. Any authenticated users can now preview the reports and images of any eMix exam package and save them directly into their electronic medical record (EMR).
Automated contrast media injectors are used in cardiac imaging to help improve patient safety and enhance image quality. These devices control contrast dosage, record the amount used, speed injections to keep up with fast CT scanners, and warn of potential hazards, such as air embolisms or extravasations. Key Differences in Injectors
July 8, 2010 – Siemens Healthcare recently announced the 2.0 release of its Acuson S2000 ultrasound system, with applications across general imaging, including obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), as well as vascular and cardiac imaging. The new release features: • Next generation tissue strain analytics, including Virtual Touch HD technology and
Cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) is growing in popularity among cardiologists because it provides the ability ...
July 8, 2010 – A new consensus statement released recently by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) offers guidance for managing cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) in patients nearing end of life or requesting device deactivation.
July 8, 2010 – The first patients have enrolled in an European pilot study to test an implantable device meant to help regulate sleep-disorder breathing in heart failure patients, Cardiac Concepts Inc. announced this week. The trial will examine the respiratory and cardiac benefits of Cardiac Concepts’ RespiCardia System when treating central sleep apnea (CSA) in patients with heart failure.
July 8, 2010 – Newly published guidelines should help cardiologists better evaluate the right heart, the American Society of Echocardiography announced this week. The new guidelines, published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (JASE), seek to establish a more uniform method of evaluating the size and function of the right ventricle.
When performing radiofrequency (RF) ablation to treat cardiac arrhythmia, medical professionals must balance the safety ...
July 8, 2010 – Boston Scientific Corp. today announced enrollment of the first patient in its MultiSENSE clinical trial, which the company plans to use to develop a clinical alert identifying the early onset of worsening heart failure. The trial is designed to evaluate multiple physiologic sensors in the company’s Cognis cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds).
July 8, 2010 – The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced this week it has authorized the reactivation of the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor in Chalk River, Ontario, Canada. It is estimated that NRU will resume medical isotope production by the end of July, after being shut down in 2009 for several repairs.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is generally treated with blood thinners, but a more aggressive treatment may be required for massive PE in hemodynamically compromised patients, said Ali Amin, M.D., a vascular surgeon at The Read Hospital and Medical Center in Reading, Pa.
Change Healthcare Cardiology Hemodynamics is an integrated hemodynamic monitoring system for monitoring vital signs and ...
Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) devices are increasingly being used to remove clots from coronary and peripheral vessels. They offer a faster treatment option than using traditional systemic thrombolytic (lytic) or catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT).
OSF HealthCare System, owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, Peoria, Ill., is a seven-hospital enterprise serving 2.5 million patients throughout Illinois and Michigan.
Three companies made significant purchases and product introductions in May and June in efforts to gain a larger share of the interventional, cath lab device market. Combining IVUS, Therapeutic Devices