Biotronik announced the first enrollments in its prospective, multi-center, international Reduce-TE Pilot study (Reduction of AF Ablation Induced Thrombo-Embolic Incidence).

Women who have breast cancer on their left side present a particular challenge to radiation oncologists. Studies have shown that the risk of heart disease is higher in this group of women after radiation treatment because it can be difficult to ensure that a sufficient dose of radiation is delivered to the left breast while adequately shielding the heart from exposure. New research shows a woman who holds her breath during radiation pulses can greatly reduce radiation exposure to the heart.

Direct Flow Medical Inc. announced the closing of a new round of financing for the company totaling $32 million.

Supplementing written heart screening guidelines with telephone counseling from specially trained nurses more than doubled the likelihood that adult survivors of childhood cancer received recommended heart checks, according to results from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS). St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators led the research, whose findings appear in the current issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Non-contrast enhanced MR angiography (MRA) techniques have attracted interest in the medical community for diagnosing renal artery stenosis, as it eliminates the need for contrast agents used with computed tomography angiography (CTA).

At Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon, India, five EchoBox devices were connected to five GE Vivid ultrasound systems, streaming live echo images over the Web to experienced sonographers located in the United States. The sonographers were members of the American Society of Echocardiography, and were able to view the images in real-time as they were being scanned. This novel approach enabled remote imaging training for eight Indian physicians during live patient examinations.

X-ray phase tomography is an imaging technique that uses penetrating X-rays to create volumetric views through "slices" or sections of soft biological tissues, such as tumors, and it offers strongly enhanced contrast compared to conventional CT scans.