Echocardiography

Cardiac ultrasound uses reflected sound waves (echos) to create images of anatomy inside the body. Echocardiograms are the primary cardiac imaging modality used to assess the heart and diagnose or track cardiac issues. Echo is the gold standard imaging modality to assess the heart, particularly with calculating left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which is a measure of cardiac output. In addition to noninvasive standard transthoracic echo (TTE), invasive transesophgeal echo (TEE) is also used when clearer, more detailed imaging of the heart is needed. Both 3D and 4D echo echo systems are rapidly gaining wider adoption and enable new types of assessments, especially in the structural heart space and in transcatheter procedural guidance. Find news on general ultrasound imaging.

Cardiology, radiology groups urge insurance provider to rethink imaging policy
SCAI and four other major healthcare organizations signed a joint letter in support of intravascular ultrasound.
FDA clears smaller 3D TEE transducer for imaging children, high-risk adult patients
The newly approved device is much smaller than previous offerings, helping operators capture 3D images during structural heart evaluations.
Cardiology has embraced AI more than most other specialties
Cardiology is linked to the second largest group of FDA-cleared clinical AI algorithms, and the number is still growing.
GE Healthcare to acquire AI imaging specialists Caption Health
Caption Health has been a major player in the cardiac imaging space in recent years, gaining attention for its AI-powered echocardiography solutions.
6 pointers on POCUS leadership in the ED (and potentially beyond)
Has point-of-care ultrasound outpaced hospitals’ capacity to incorporate the technology without anointing any particular specialty its proper guardian? The case could be made.

Researchers recently completed an external validation for the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) for classifying lesions as malignant or benign, for which validation had been previously lacking. #ORADS

No practice changes needed after ultrasound-related FDA safety warning, imaging experts say

Such injectable agents have been administered routinely for years to detect heart disease, assess risk, and identify tumors throughout the abdomen.

May 12, 2021

Any further safety concerns could hinder ultrasound contrast agent delivery, manufacturer warns

North Billerica, Massachusetts-based Lantheus shared its forecast in a quarterly financial report published May 4.

May 7, 2021

Devyani Chowdhury, MD, at Cardiology Care for Children (CCC) said their workflow was improved when they began using Hitachi’s new-by-acquisition PACS offering, the cloud-based VidiStar system. , they made CCC one of the first provider organizations in the U.S. to pair this particular premium ultrasound machine—Hitachi’s Lisendo 880 with 2D and 3D capabilities set up specifically for cardiovascular indications.

One Cardiology Center, Two Technologies and Countless Young Lives Saved or Improved

Sponsored by Hitachi Healthcare Americas

A family from Pennsylvania’s Plain People community, which consists primarily of Amish and Mennonite families, recently took their child to Cardiology Care for Children (CCC), a small yet regionally renowned practice in Lancaster.

January 23, 2019

Jonathan R. Lindner elected president of American Society of Echocardiography

Jonathan R. Lindner, MD, was elected president of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) at the ASE’s 29th Annual Scientific Sessions in Nashville, Tennessee.

June 28, 2018

Coding for Clarity: Echocardiography Gains Two New CPT Add-On Codes

The approval of two new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes acknowledges echocardiographic myocardial strain imaging and myocardial contrast perfusion echocardiography as emerging technologies, often a necessary step before a code is promoted to payable status.

January 31, 2017

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Medicare drops AUC requirement for advanced imaging, ASNC celebrates

"This was an unneeded burden, which was solely adding to the administrative hassles of medicine," said American Society of Nuclear Cardiology President Larry Phillips.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology, radiology groups urge insurance provider to rethink imaging policy

SCAI and four other major healthcare organizations signed a joint letter in support of intravascular ultrasound.

Cardiovascular Business

Radiology AI company gains FDA clearance for new CT offerings focused on PE, stroke

The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.