DAIC Nov-Dec 2011

DAIC Nov-Dec 2011 Digital Edition

The Holy Grail sought for more than two decades by interventional cardiology has been proof that minimally invasive, percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) procedures can perform as well or better than the gold-standard of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Abbott Vascular is now pitting its Xience V stent against CABG in a new trial.

Advances in Cardiac CT Imaging

Computed tomography (CT) scanner manufacturers say they are tracking numerous trends in the cardiac imaging market that are influencing their development efforts. Among them are concerns over ionizing radiation dose, increasing use of CT to evaluate chest pain patients, development of CT perfusion imaging and the need to simplify cardiac imaging and workflow.

Enhancing Cardiac Nuclear Imaging

There are currently three major trends in cardiac nuclear perfusion imaging technology: advances in detector hardware, improved software and new radiotracers. These advances have enhanced the diagnostic performance of both single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) perfusion imaging.

The Changing Relationship Between MRIs and Pacemakers

Estimates say up to 75 percent of patients with a pacemaker will need magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over the course of their lifetime.[1] Yet as the industry has long been aware, MRIs can cause a number of adverse reactions when conducted on patients with a pacemaker. Aside from either the loss of pacing or inappropriate pacing, the MRI can cause current and heat to travel down to the heart muscle, resulting in local damage or life-threatening arrhythmias.

Injectors Enable Speed, Usage Tracking

Automated contrast media injectors control contrast dosage, record the amount used and speed injections to keep up with today’s fast computed tomography (CT) scanners. They also warn of potential hazards, such as air embolisms or extravasations.

Multi-Axis Angiography Systems Aid Radial Access

At Memorial Hermann Heart and Vascular Institute – Texas Medical Center, we have expanded our already robust cardiac care offering to include radial approaches for interventional procedures. Offering radial approaches for interventional procedures has elevated Memorial Hermann’s level of patient care, by making interventions safer for patients by limiting complications.

Cath Lab Staff Saves Lives in 'Impossible' Cases With LUCAS 2 Chest Compression System

In the past, when a patient suffered a prolonged cardiac or circulatory arrest during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the catheterization laboratory (cath lab) at Skane University Hospital–Lund, it was a catastrophic event. As any interventional cardiologist knows, the mortality rates in these situations are very high because it is essentially impossible to perform effective manual chest compressions while continuing PCI, especially in cases where prolonged resuscitation is required.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Repair - Where We Stand and What the Future Holds

Within the United States, the anticipated approval and launch of TAVR has received considerable attention, with speculation about who will perform the procedure. For example, many physicians are advocating a need for cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists to collaborate and work together as this technology becomes available in the United States.

Endoscopic Maze Technique Treats Refractory Atrial Fibrillation

The ideal treatment of AF would be a truly minimally invasive procedure with results comparable to the Cox maze. This goal led to the convergence of surgical and electrophysiologic expertise to create a hybrid procedure for the treatment of symptomatic persistent AF.Using a pericardioscope, which is passed transabdominally through the central tendon of the diaphragm, the surgeon is able to directly visualize both atria, including the posterior left atrium and both sets of pulmonary vein.

Echoes From Space

When the final space shuttle mission launched July 8, 2011, a cardiovascular ultrasound (echocardiography) system was included in its payload, destined for the International Space Station (ISS). The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) selected GE Healthcare’s Vivid q echo system following a rigorous regimen of spaceflight hardware qualification and acceptance testing.