When it comes to diagnosing heart disease, highly detailed 3D images of a coronary artery comes to mind. But advanced imaging has expanded its role in the cath lab beyond diagnosis, as 3D images are used to guide physicians through interventional procedures. But what it taking imaging in the cath lab to the next generation is 4D imaging, in its truest sense.

A study published in 2002, which assigned a 0-5 score to various clinical parameters, is still considered a major breakthrough in determining when to remove an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and implant a ventricular assist device (VAD) in patients suffering from cardiac low-output syndrome or acute cardiogenic shock. But not everyone is convinced that a risk severity score should be the only criteria.

In the past, patients with atrial fibrillation that came to Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (VCU) had several treatment options. There were medications to attack the complex and confusing condition. There were surgical options, involving different intensities and approaches. But according to Vigneshwar Kasirajan, M.D., chair of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, it wasn’t enough.
“We were nowhere near where we should have been, or where we wanted to be,” he said.