Siemens introduces True volume transesophageal echo (TEE) transducer — this 3-D/4-D 90°x90° TEE solution enables clinically meaningful echocardiography visualization of anatomy, volume color Doppler and function in one volume view, without compromises like stitching. Combined with eSieValves advanced cardioac ultrasound analysis package, it offers automated modeling and quantification in seconds allowing cardiologists to remove the guesswork from valve sizing. For more information: usa.healthcare.siemens.com/ultrasound/cardiovascular/acuson-sc2000-ultrasound-system/features

Ziad Ali, M.D., senior scientist at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), discusses the current trials and future possibilities of intravascular near-infrared spectroscopy imaging to identify and pre-treat vulnerable plaque.

DAIC Editor, Dave Fornell, interviews  Jim Hermiller, M.D., FACC, director of interventional cardiology, St. Vincent Heart Center-Indiana, and a principle investigator in the Absorb III Trial. Read the article "FDA Approves First Totally Bioresorbable Stent."

Centricity Cardio Enterprise Solution from GE Healthcare is designed to empower Cardiologists to enhance patient care through full clinical access, optimized productivity and enhanced revenue cycle efficiencies. Omar Sunna, global product manager for GE Healthcare IT, explains some of the highlights of the system at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2014 meeting.

Peter G. Maxim, Ph.D., assistant professor of radiation oncology at Stanford University, discusses stereotactic radiotherapy for renal sympathetic nerve ablation for the treatment of refractory hypertension, and some of the challenges involved, with Imaging Technology News Editorial Director Melinda Taschetta-Millane.

DAIC Editor Dave Fornell explains some of the most innovative new cardiovascular CT technology displayed at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2014.

The Aplio 500 CV is the system of choice for all premium 2-D cardiac exams. Featuring Toshiba's 2-D Wall Motion Tracking technology, the system provides stunning visualization and quantitative analysis of myocardial wall motion with unrivaled accuracy and reproducibility. With on-board cardiac quantification measurements in all directions (radial, circumferential, 2D rotation and longitudinal), the Aplio 500 CV system is designed to get the most comprehensive information anytime and anywhere in the hospital, right at the patient's bedside. Additional cardiac-specific technologies include Tissue Enhancement, Advanced Dynamic Flow, Lateral Gain Controls, Tissue Doppler, Stress Echo, Flex-M Mode and Auto IMT. The system is easy to use, with superior ergonomics and a smaller footprint, making it easier to maneuver for greater patient access and improved workflow. For more information: http://medical.toshiba.com/products/ul/cardiovascular/index.php

ASE Past President James Thomas, M.D., explains some of the hot topics in cardiovascular ultrasound at the 2014 meeting of the American Society Echocardiography (ASE).

Learn how Lumedx can help hospitals reduce heart failure re-admissions and improve patient care with HealthView Heart Failure. The innovative solution integrates inpatient and home-health patient data.

McKesson is introducing the future of enterprise medical imaging and guiding thousands of healthcare enterprises like yours to the forefront of the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. With input from industry experts and an involved user community we have packed the new release of the McKesson Cardiology CVIS with enhancements you can use to help improve quality of care, boost efficiencies and reduce costs while helping to increase physician and staff satisfaction. For more information: www.mckesson.com/cardiology This video is sponsored by McKesson

Bioresorbable stent technology was one of the big interventional technologies discussed at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2014 meeting. Doug Drachman, M.D., Mass General Hospital, explains where the technology is today and what we will likely see in the future. Read the article "FDA Approves First Totally Bioresorbable Stent."

A major disappointment earlier this year was the announcement by Medtronic that its renal denervation system failed to meet its primary endpoint for efficacy in the U.S. SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial. Michael Jaff , D.O., worked as part of the core lab for the trial and explains the trial outcomes and the future of renal denervation technology. He spoke to DAIC Editor Dave Fornell at the 2014 American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting where the trial results were released.

Related Renal Denervation Content:

Renal Artery Denervation and Catheter Ablation Increased Freedom From Atrial Fibrillation

VIDEO: Device Therapies to Treat Hypertension

SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED Study Results Show Efficacy, Safety of Renal Denervation

Medtronic Announces Spyral HTN Global Clinical Trial Program for Renal Denervation

Medtronic Randomizes First Patients in Symplicity HTN-4

Medtronic Says its U.S. Renal Denervation Pivotal Trial Fails to Meet Primary Efficacy Endpoint

The Future of Renal Denervation Following the Failed SYMPLICITY HTN-3 Trial

A big trend in healthcare IT at HIMSS 2014 was the creation of enterprise-wide image access systems. With the introduction of vendor neutral archives (VNAs), enterprise imaging will increasingly be taken out of the hands of radiology and move to the responsibility of hospital IT directors. In this form, radiology may become just another department contributing images to the VNA. HIMSS also highlighted the proliferation of new, inexpensive home use patient monitors.

Hear why Siemens SOMATOM Definition Edge is the CT your emergency department (ED) has been dreaming about from the leadership at Gwinett Medical Center. From physicians to the C-suite, see why the Edge is helping them meet their most demanding and time sensitive imaging needs with low-dose and high image quality.

Scott Lim, M.D., director of the Heart Valve Center at the University of Virginia Medical Center, investigator in the EVEREST and COAPT trials, discusses the MitraClip transcatheter mitral valve repair system at TCT 2013. The device recieved FDA clearance a couple days before TCT.

Read the article "FDA Clears First Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Device."
 

This animation, provided by Abbott Vascular, demonstrates how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared MitraClip transcatherer mitral valve repair system is implanted in the heart

The MitraClip was originally designed for high-risk surgical patients, who often will not be operated on by cardiac surgeons because of the mortality risk. These patients might be eligible for this less-invasive treatment option. The MitraClip device used in this transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) procedure only involves a small puncture in the femoral vein, rather than open-heart surgery and the need to stop the heart.

The delivery catheter is pushed up into the heart and a transseptal puncture is made in the atrial wall. The catheter is then advanced from the right into the left atrium. It is bent 90 degrees to access the mitral valve and to attach the clip to the native valve leaflets.

The procedure it performed under transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in a cath lab. The ultrasound imaging allows real-time assessment of device and valve leaflet positioning and shows when the leaflets are fully engaged by the device for final deployment. In addition, 3-D Doppler ultrasound is used to show blood flow. This is used to identify the location of the regurgitant jet and any residual jet after the device is implanted. To resolve any addition MR seen in the TEE might require the placement of additional clips.

Related Transcatheter Mitral Valve Technology Content:

Treating Mitral Regurgitation in High Risk Patients

VIDEO: Update of Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement Technologies - Interview with Ted Feldman, M.D.

360 View of the TEE Echo Workstation During a MitraClip Procedure

VIDEO: Evolution of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair at the University of Colorado — Interview with John Carroll, M.D., and Robert Quaife, M.D.

Read more about the COAPT Trial

VIDEO: MitraClip to Treat Heart Failure - Results of the COAPT Trial — Interview with William Abraham M.D. 

VIDEO: Impact of the COAPT Trial on Heart Failure Patients With Functional Mitral Regurgitation — Interview with Andreas Brieke, M.D.

FDA Approves MitraClip for Use in Heart Failure Patients With Functional Mitral Regurgitation

VIDEO: Echocardiographic Findings in the COAPT Trial — Interview with Federico Asch, M.D.

VIDEO: Transcatheter Mitral Valve Interventions at Henry Ford Hospital — Interview with Marvin Eng, M.D., and William O'Neill, M.D.

VIDEO: Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation in Practice and Technologies in Development - Interview with Adam Greenbaum, M.D.

VIDEO: Overview of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Technologies — Interview with Ted Feldman, M.D.

VIDEO: The Cardiac Surgeon Perspective on Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair — Joe Cleveland, M.D.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Devices in Development

VIDEO: Transcatheter Mitral Valve Technology, Anatomical Challenges — Interview with Juan Granada, M.D.

American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) President Benjamin Byrd III, M.D., FASE, explains some of the recent trends and issues facing cardiac ultrasound. These trends include reimbursement issues, the rapid expansion of point-of-care ultrasound and the critical role played by the new sub-specialty of interventional ultrasound.

Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute has a clear and immediate picture of their cardiovascular performance metrics with the help of Lumed's HealthView Financial Dashboard.
Watch the VIDEO “Lumedx Cardiovascular Performance Program: A New Approach to Managing Quality and Cost.” For more information, visit www.lumedx.com

SunTech demonstrated its new Tango M2 cardiac stress test automated blood pressure monitoring system at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2013. The system eliminates the need to manually take blood pressure readings during a stress test, which can sometimes be difficult because of patient motion. It also allows clinicians to focus on the patient and the test instead of worrying about periodic blood pressure measurements. For more information, visit www.SunTechMed.com/TM2Info

Ajay Kirtane, M.D., SD, chief academic officer at Columbia University Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, explains the key highlights regarding interventional cardiology at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2013. These included data on the use of cangrelor vs. clopidogrel during cath lab procedures, first U.S. reports on using the smaller Sapient XT transcatheter aortic valve, and the safety of using shorter duration dual-antiplatelet therapy with drug-eluting stents.