Role of Interventional Echcardiography in Transcatheter Structural Heart Procedures — Rebecca Hahn, M.D., Columbia University Medical Center, is an expert in the new subspecialty of interventional echo and shares her insights at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation's (CRF) Transcatheter Valve Therapies (TVT) conference in Chicago in June.

Interview with Juan Granada, M.D., executive director and chief scientific officer of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation's Skirball Center for Innovation, at the Transcatheter Valve Therapies 2015 meeting. Read the article "Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Devices in Development."
 

Here are ITN Editor Dave Fornell's choices for the most innovative new imaging technologies shown on the expo floor at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2014 annual meeting.

John Stevens, chairman and CEO of HeartFlow, explains his company's computed tomography (CT)-based fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment technology, which may eliminate the need for catheter-based FFR measurements.

DAIC Editor Dave Fornell explains some of the most innovative new cardiovascular CT technology displayed at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2014.

The Aplio 500 CV is the system of choice for all premium 2-D cardiac exams. Featuring Toshiba's 2-D Wall Motion Tracking technology, the system provides stunning visualization and quantitative analysis of myocardial wall motion with unrivaled accuracy and reproducibility. With on-board cardiac quantification measurements in all directions (radial, circumferential, 2D rotation and longitudinal), the Aplio 500 CV system is designed to get the most comprehensive information anytime and anywhere in the hospital, right at the patient's bedside. Additional cardiac-specific technologies include Tissue Enhancement, Advanced Dynamic Flow, Lateral Gain Controls, Tissue Doppler, Stress Echo, Flex-M Mode and Auto IMT. The system is easy to use, with superior ergonomics and a smaller footprint, making it easier to maneuver for greater patient access and improved workflow. For more information: http://medical.toshiba.com/products/ul/cardiovascular/index.php

ASE Past President James Thomas, M.D., explains some of the hot topics in cardiovascular ultrasound at the 2014 meeting of the American Society Echocardiography (ASE).

Satoshi Minoshima, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) Scientific Committee, discusses the new technologies and trends at the SNMMI 2014 meeting.

GE Healthcare is dedicated to helping healthcare organizations build a roadmap for a comprehensive radiation dose management strategy. Learn about current trends in dose management and how GE Healthcare's DoseWatch solution can help you. Read the article "The Role of Dose Tracking Systems in Radiation Safety Programs."
 

DAIC Editor Dave Fornell offers his choices of the most innovative new cardiovascular technologies discussed in sessions and shown on the expo floor at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) 2013 meeting.

American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) President Benjamin Byrd III, M.D., FASE, explains some of the recent trends and issues facing cardiac ultrasound. These trends include reimbursement issues, the rapid expansion of point-of-care ultrasound and the critical role played by the new sub-specialty of interventional ultrasound.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2013 Scientific Session Committee Chairman Miguel Quinones, M.D., explains some of the key highlights from this year's meeting. Highlights included the impact of niacin on lowering cholesterol, new data on transcatheter aortic valve repair, and how mummies show atherosclerosis is not a modern disease.

The Iowa Heart Center created a telecardiology program that connects cardiologists in Des Moines with satellite facilities in rural towns around the state. With help from Esaote, patients can have their echo exams performed on a compact ultrasound system and delivered to Des Moines for review by experts. Iowa Heart will detail its program during sessions at ACC.2013, March 9-11, in San Francisco.

At RSNA 2012, Hitachi featured its Echelon Oval 1.5T MRI system, which features the widest bore on the market at 74 cm, a wide table and the ability to perform non-contrast MR angiography exams. Hitachi also highlighted new features for its Scenaria CT system, which is upgradeable to a 128-slice system, offers new, faster iterative reconstruction software and cardiac imaging packages.

Imaging Technology News experts discuss the trends and latest technology they saw on the show floor and in sessions at RSNA 2012. Their discussions include some of the most innovative new devices and software to solve issues facing radiology today.

Mercy Hospital in Chicago has developed a successful hybrid cath lab program where various specialties work together for the best, minimally invasive patient outcomes. Beyond the coronaries, this cath lab specializes in endovascular aortic stent grafting, peripheral vascular disease, embolization procedures and transcatheter heart valve replacements. Read the related article "Most Innovative Heart Centers: Chicago’s Mercy Hospital."  Watch the related Mercy VIDEO "Mercy Hospital Develops Effective, Collaborative Interventional Program."

Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology Editor Dave Fornell shares his choices of the latest advances in cardiac ultrasound from the show floor of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) 2012. With the increasing use of more complex interventional procedures, transesophageal echo (TEE) and intracardiac echo (ICE) are being used for guidance to reduce fluoroscopic radiation dose.

Siemens' syngo Aortic ValveGuide software enables transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedural guidance with integration of 3-D images on live fluoro imaging. This video shows the valve guidance technology used during the implantation of a Medtronic CoreValve device. For more information: www.DIcardiology.com

One of the most interesting educational exhibits at the recent American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2012 Scientific Session was "The Heart of Innovation" display on the show floor. The ACC in collaboration with marquee sponsor Philips Healthcare and several other industry leaders created this non-accredited, hands-on education experience. The exhibit explored the evolution of the standard-of-care for heart disease and heart failure caused by valvular disease. It looked at these issues through the lenses of personalized medicine, techno-biology, minimally invasive procedures and physician-patient engagement. The exhibit included technology from the past, present and future of healthcare. To incorporate a historical view, the entrance to the display included the ACC's special collection of historic artifacts encompassing medical books, stethoscopes and device technology dating back hundreds of years, including a stethoscope from 1535. This historical perspective was juxtaposed with a modern attendee experience that included the option to explore the entire exhibit with a specially provided iPad tour. The centerpiece was a mockup of a hybrid OR. It included a Corindus CorPath robotic cath lab intervention guidance system. Other partners included Maquet, showing a portable heart-lung machine the size of a small suitcase and the CFI Medical Solutions ZeroGravity radiation protection system. What made the hybrid OR particularly unique was that it was situated across from the Minimally Invasive Gallery, which featured many of the innovations that are driving procedures performed in the hybrid OR. The gallery encompassed solutions from Medtronic and Edwards Lifesciences, including Edward's breakthrough Sapien transcatheter heart valve. The display discussed current treatments and what the future technologies will likely be from the standard-of-care in the future.

Siemens' AcuNav V 3-D intracardiac echo (ICE) catheter offers detailed, live 3-D images of the interior of the heart. This video shows an example of the catheter imaging the left atrial appendage (LAA). The technology may play a role in guiding and properly seating transcatheter LAA occluders. The technology was shown as a work-in-progress during ACC 2012.