July 9, 2010 – W. L. Gore and Associates announced today that they are confident in the design and anticipated results of the Gore REDUCE Clinical Study, which was designed to test the safety and effectiveness of the Gore Helex Septal Occluder for patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in patients with history of cryptogenic stroke or imaging-confirmed transient ischemic attack (TIA).


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.


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

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.

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