November 9, 2020 — A National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinical trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of adults with coronavirus (COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2) has formally concluded that the drug provides no clinical benefit to hospitalized patients. 

An example of radiation dose tracking software from Imalogix showing data on cath lab angiography cases at RSNA 2019. Photo by Dave Fornell

More than a decade ago, there was an alarming, rapid rise in ionizing radiation exposure in the U.S. population that was mainly driven the increased use of medical imaging. One of the biggest drivers was the rapid expansion of computed tomography (CT). However, radiology society driven campaigns to lower doses and new technologies developed by imaging systems vendors have succeeded in cutting radiation exposure rates in the most recent assessment.

November 3, 2020 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Boston Scientific Ranger Drug-coated Balloon, developed for the treatment of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and proximal popliteal artery (PPA).  

November 3, 2020 – Robocath, a company commercializing cardiovascular cath lab robotic systems, announced creation of the joint venture with MicroPort Scientific Corp. through its MicroPort MedBot (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. subsidiary. This partnership will enable the commercialization in China of its first robotic-assisted platform, R-One. 

The American Heart Association, AHA, late-breaking sessions, trials, studies. #AHA #AHA20 #AHA2020

Here is a list of the American Heart Association (AHA) late-breaking clinical trial presentations at the 2020 Virtual AHA meeting Nov 13-17, 2020. Find a complete listing of all AHA 2020 sessions.
Two of the top preforming pieces of content in October was the FDA clearance for the first indication for shortened DAPT for Medtronic's Resolute Onyx Drug Eluting Stent. A virtual tour of the new robotic electrophysiology lab at Banner Health led by Pete Weiss, M.D., also was among the most popular cardiology technology content.

November 2, 2020 — Here is the list of the most popular content on the Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology (DAIC) magazine website from the month of October 2020. This is based on the website’s 230,874 pageviews for the month. 

1. Medtronic Resolute Onyx Drug Eluting Stent First to Receive One-Month DAPT Indication
Angiography with a co-registered view of pressure drops according iFR readings in a coronary vessel. The DEFINE PCI study showed patients had improved outcomes and less recurrent chest pain at one year using iFR physiologic measurements combined with landmarks shown on angiographic imaging to better guide therapy. Image by Philips Healthcare. #TCT #TCT2020 #TCTconnect

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is considered the gold standard measure whether a coronary lesions needs a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or if the patient can be treated with medical therapy and avoid a permanent metallic stent implant. There were several FFR late-breaking clinical trials presented at the 2020 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) meeting in October. 
Some of the device technologies discussed in the TCT 2020 late-breaking trial sessions. Top left, the  Medtronic Resolute Onyx stent was the first stent to receive FDA clearance for short duration dual-antiplatelet therapy, which was a big topic and subject of several sessions. Lower left, the Keystone TriGuard 3 TAVR embolic protection device did not demonstrate superiority over TAVR without use of embolic protection. Top right, the Abbott MitraClip. Acurate neo TAVR valve. #TCTconnect #TCT2020

Here are some of the key takeaways from the late-breaking interventional cardiology and structural heart trials presented at the 2020 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) meeting in October.
This study found cardiac MRI gadolinium-based contrast agents are safe for patient use. Overall, there were only 556 acute adverse effects in 145,855 contrast-enhanced MRIs, with only 47 being classified as severe.
Proportion of gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) subtypes and molecular structure used for cardiac MRI in the European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology MR/CT Registry. A, Use of GBCA subtypes. B, Use of macrocyclic versus linear GBCA

October 29, 2020 — Contrast agents used to improve views of the heart on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) carry a very low risk of allergic reactions, vomiting and other acute adverse events, according to a large study from Europe published in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging.[1] The findings come three years after the European Union enacted new regulations on the contrast agents.
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