 |
|
The future of non-invasive cardiac imaging
September 02, 2008Imaging has gained attention in many areas of medicine but its relevance and importance in clinical cardiology cannot be underestimated. While chest X-ray and heart radioscopy have been used for many decades, it is the maturation of echocardiography which has propelled non-invasive imaging to the foreground of our diagnostic arsenal in cardiology. More recently, cardiovascular magnetic resonance and computed tomography have joined this club. In the mean time nuclear medicine has grown a steady and impressive mountain of evidence as a gate keeper in ischemic heart disease through SPECT imaging.
The issue today does not seem to be anymore whether we can acquire images of a given anatomical or functional problem but rather what technique or modality we should use, since for many questions several options are available: as in our daily life in the 21st century in the Western world: there are too many options. Clinicians are confronted with a fast evolving arsenal of imaging techniques which all claim to be the optimal choice for their clinical question. Each imaging modality has the tendency to put itself forward as the better technique and claiming the holy grail of the "one-stop-shop". Combine this with the push from industry to sell the newest and brightest (more slices, more parallel coils, more crystals, combine SPECT and CT, combine MR and PET, ..) and the inherent turf battle between the different specialities in cardiovascular imaging, and the clinician remains wondering at the side line if he really needs any of this.
It is time that we start focusing again, not on what we CAN image, but on what we NEED to image to improve patient diagnosis and outcome. This does not mean that new techniques are not welcome and dearly needed in many areas, but that we have to create evidence showing an incremental value above existing techniques before including them in everyday practice. We also have to create a new subspecialty of the cardiovascular "imager" who relays a clinical question into a stepwise approach to the different modalities and integrates the information from the various modalities in a coherent answer to the clinicians.
This requires broad consensus building among the different modalities and specialties and much more research into the area, but is required to translate today's expanding imaging capabilities into a benefit for the cardiovascular patient.
European Society of Cardiology
This requires broad consensus building among the different modalities and specialties and much more research into the area, but is required to translate today's expanding imaging capabilities into a benefit for the cardiovascular patient.
European Society of Cardiology
Clinical Cardiology Current Events and Clinical Cardiology News RSSHeartburn drug may help to slow progression of chronic heart failure
An over-the-counter medication used to treat heartburn and acid reflux also appears to help decrease the debilitating effects of chronic heart failure, preliminary research shows.
New ACC/AHA guidelines released for valvular heart disease
An updated set of guidelines jointly released by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) draws together the latest information on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with valvular heart disease.
MSU research sheds new light on dangers of high cholesterol
Research by a Michigan State University cardiologist published in the September edition of Clinical Cardiology has shed new light on the role that cholesterol plays in causing heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events in humans.
ESC Gold Medal awarded to Ireland's Minister for Health and Children
This week, gold medals are not just for Olympic athletes; great leaps in the fight against cardiovascular disease are also worthy of official commendation. As such, the ESC is pleased to award the Gold Medal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) to Miche'¡l Martin TD, the Minister for Health and Children of Ireland.
ESC Gold Medal awarded to Ireland's Minister for Health and Children
28 August 2004, Munich, Germany: This week, gold medals are not just for Olympic athletes; great leaps in the fight against cardiovascular disease are also worthy of official commendation. As such, the ESC is pleased to award the Gold Medal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) to Miche'¡l Martin TD, the Minister for Health and Children of Ireland.
ESC in partnership with EU to strive for European consensus on CVD treatment and prevention
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has long called for concerted action on a European Union (EU) level to curb the growing epidemic of cardiovascular disease across Europe. Now the ESC is delighted to announce that the Irish Presidency of the EU has taken up the challenge by placing cardiovascular disease top of its health agenda and working with the ESC to strive for European consensus on cardiovascular disease treatment and prevention. Cardiovascular disease is Europe's biggest killer, causing more than four million deaths per year, 1.5 million of which are in current EU Member States. Whilst the ESC works to set the standard on cardiovascular disease treatment, one of the biggest ob
Trial Findings Mark "Significant Advance" In Angina Treatment
Results from the INITIATIVE study(1), the largest phase III trial ever carried out for the treatment of stable angina, herald what has been described as a "significant advance" in the management of the condition, which afflicts 4% of adults in the UK and costs the NHS some £700 million per year(2). Findings from the 4-month, multi-centre study, presented for the first time at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Vienna, show that ivabradine (Procoralan® , Servier), a new chemical entity, was at least as effective as the beta blocker atenolol but did not display any of the side-effects commonly associated with beta-blockers, such as sexual dysfunction, asthenia or bro
More Clinical Cardiology Current Events and Clinical Cardiology News Articles
 | Clinical Cardiology Made Ridiculously Simple (Edition 3 - 2009) (Medmaster Ridiculously Simple) by Michael A Chizner Completely revised and updated, this best selling book is a clear, concise, highly practical and enjoyable overview of all of clinically relevant cardiology: history, physical, ECG (ECG interpretation taught in just 40 pages), radiology, noninvasive and invasive diagnostic tests, and therapy (both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic). This third edition includes interactive CD-ROM (Win/Mac) with... |
 | Clinical Nuclear Cardiology: State of the Art and Future Directions by Barry Zaret, George Beller This completely revised 3rd Edition delivers up-to-date coverage of the most recent developments in technology, instrumentation, and radiopharmaceuticals-and now it's in full color! Internationally recognized experts in the field discuss the full range of nuclear cardiology applications, helping readers gain a better perspective on the current and future use of radionuclides in imaging diagnosis... |
 | Classic Teachings in Clinical Cardiology: A Tribute to W. Proctor Harvey |
| Netter's Cardiology & Netter's Cardiology: Electronic Book (Netter Clinical Science) by Marschall S. Runge, Magnus E. Ohman With coverage on virtually every topic in cardiovascular medicine, the authors have distilled massive amounts of information down to the most needed facts, using Netter artwork to illustrate the most salient points and bring the information to life. Readers get quick access to essential information for diagnosis and treatment of most cardiovascular problems. This package includes a full-text CD,... | |
 | Diagnostic Imaging in Clinical Cardiology by Joao A C Lima Approaching imaging techniques from the viewpoint of the clinical cardiologist, Diagnostic Imaging in Clinical Cardiology supplies the practitioner with all the information necessary to select specific management... |
 | Cardiovascular Imaging: A Handbook for Clinical Practice (European Society of Cardiology) This book is focused on the use of non-invasive imaging in clinical cardiology. Its central theme is the use of different imaging modalities in the routine clinical problems that physicians encounter on a regular basis. Many different clinical issues are discussed, including valvular disease, coronary artery disease, and myocardial and pericardial disease. In these various pathologies, the... |
 | Clinical Cardiology 2009 by M.D., C. G. Weber Topics include: ECG reading, ACLS (all the latest protocols and pearls), CHF, acute MI, cardiac testing, palpitations, pericarditis, arrhythmias, murmurs, athletes, valvular disease, endocarditis, syncope, peri-operative management . Features:Tons of detailed work-ups, treatments, Ddx, pearls, illustrations, references....Everything you ever needed to know about cardiology in an easy to read and... |
 | Pediatric Heart Failure (Fundamental and Clinical Cardiology) The first book of its kind, this reference describes current diagnostic and treatment strategies for acute and chronic heart failure in the fetus, neonate, child, and young adult-encompassing every aspect of pediatric heart failure including historical perspectives, the latest technologies in mechanical circulatory support, and recent information on the psychosocial aspects of heart failure in... |
 | Practical Critical Care in Cardiology (Fundamental and Clinical Cardiology, Vol 31) by Mohsenifar This self-contained guide presents readily accessible information on the pathogenesis, pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention of intensive care complications in coronary care units from dialysis and ventilator issues to gastrointestinal hemorrhage and infectious problems;enabling the physician to approach daily noncardiological critical care situations competently... |
| Clinical Cardiology by Melvin D., M.D. Cheitlin This reference provides an account of fundamental principles of cardiology and various forms of heart... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |