News • Diffusion-based generative model
Better MRI scans of beating hearts with AI
An AI-assisted model can take low-quality MRI heart scans and turn them into high quality images, while reducing the time needed to scan the heart by about 90%.
Cardiology
News • Imaging
Carotid Plaques Evolve Dangerously Over Time in Asymptomatic Patients
MRI study of 802 patients shows carotid plaques become more complex over six years, with calcified plaques twice as likely to develop dangerous internal bleeding.
Article • Diagnostic and care support
Atrial fibrillation: digital technology to the rescue?
Machine learning (ML) for personalised care, large language models for empathy training of cardiologists, wearable sensor data for better screening, and more: Digital technologies hold great potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). At the ESC 2024 cardiology congress in London, four experts explored the benefits of new solutions and pointed out…
News • Foetal cardiac function assessment
Ultrasound scan of baby's heart to increase childbirth safety
Maternal contractions during childbirth put considerable stress on a baby's heart. Using a new ultrasound technique, researchers were able to predict complications necessitating C-section.
News • Cardiovascular research
Thousands of ‘digital twins’ offer new insights into the heart
Creating cardiac ‘digital twins’ at a large scale, researchers hope to gather new insights into heart health. This includes effects of age, sex, and lifestyle factors on heart disease risk.
News • Comparison of imaging methods
4D flow MRI to quicker diagnose aortic stenosis
A new 4D flow MRI method could accelerate diagnosis of aortic stenosis, a progressive and potentially fatal heart condition.
News • Post-transplant care
Improving heart transplant monitoring with molecular tests
Molecular testing provides a more convenient, personalized way of monitoring of heart transplant recipients, according to insights shared at the Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the ISHLT.
News • Synthetic fibrosis distributions
AI generates ‘scarred hearts’ for better cardiac treatments
Researchers have developed an AI tool that creates synthetic yet medically accurate models of fibrotic heart tissue (heart scarring), aiding treatment planning for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.
News • Arrhythmia prediction
Using AI to prevent sudden cardiac death
A network of artificial neurons imitating the human brain could help identify patients at risk of a serious arrhythmia from an ECG and avoid many cases of sudden cardiac death, a new study suggests.
News • Light-activated device
World's tiniest pacemaker can be injected into body, dissolves after use
Smaller than a grain of rice: US engineers have developed a pacemaker so tiny that it can fit inside the tip of a syringe — and be non-invasively injected into the body.
News • Neural network-based assessment
AI calculates biological heart age, cardiovascular risk, from ECG data
By using AI to analyse ECG data, researchers created an algorithm to predict the biological age of the heart. This could be used to identify those most at risk of cardiovascular events and mortality.
News • Threat to medical device availability
Cardiologists call for urgent MDR revision
While the Medical Device Regulation was designed to enhance safety and quality, its complexity and certification costs threaten the availability of vital devices. Cardiologists urge for revision.
News • Cardiac event marker
Coronary artery calcium score: useful regardless of age
A large new study of more than 40,000 patients finds that a zero coronary artery calcium score continues to be an accurate indicator of a low risk for a coronary heart event even as a person ages.
News • For newborns with congenital heart defects
Tiny pacemakers safely stabilize baby hearts
A pacemaker designed for babies could fill an unmet need for newborns with congenital heart defects and other heart conditions, finds a new study.
News • Environmental impact of coronary bypass grafting
Increasing sustainability of heart surgery
Life cycle assessment of bypass surgery procedures reveals opportunities to reduce the ecological footprint of healthcare, from reducing disposable materials to improving energy efficiency.
Article • Imaging modalities for quantifying myocardial blood flow
Nuclear cardiology – a nuclear perspective on matters of the heart
Nuclear cardiology is a specialised field in nuclear medicine that evaluates the heart function to help diagnosing conditions such as coronary artery disease and to assess treatment efficacy, whilst minimising invasive procedures like biopsies. More recently, clinicians have increasingly opted for nuclear imaging over endomyocardial biopsy to diagnose cardiac amyloidosis, allowing for earlier…
News • Automated evaluation
Robot enhances side-effect monitoring after cardiac arrhythmia treatment
A newly-developed robot can detect medication side-effects in patients after heart arrhythmia treatment faster than a human doctor, while reducing the number of follow-up tests.
News • Impact on long-term survival
Biological vs mechanical heart valve replacement: study compares outcomes
Patients aged between 50 to 70 years with a mechanical heart valve replacement had better long-term survival compared to those with a biological valve, new research has found.
News • Potential for new cardiac treatments
Born to heal: Why babies recover after heart damage, but adults do not
Newborns with heart complications can rely on their immune systems to regenerate, but adults aren’t so lucky. A new study explores this mechanism, paving the way for treatments after a heart attack.
News • Deep learning tool shows promise
Long-term ECG: AI algorithm checks heart rhythm
Analysing long-term ECG recordings for signs of heart abnormalities such as arrhythmias is a time-consuming process. New research finds that AI is better suited for this task than humans.
News • Coronary computed tomography angiography
CCTA routine scans prevent thousands of heart attacks, study finds
Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) 3D imaging of the heart greatly contributes to preventing heart attacks, compared to standard tests, a new study finds.
News • Self-diagnosis survey
Health data: monitored by many, shared by few
A survey found that many Americans use a device to monitor their heart, but few share that data with their doctor. Cardiologists explain when findings should be discussed with a medical professional.
Article • Research presented at Spanish cardiology congress
New data on heart attack puts pressure on governments to promote social justice
Environmental factors such as low temperatures and carbon monoxide levels in the air have long been underestimated as risk factors for triggering a heart attack, new research suggests.
News • Intracardiac nervous system
The heart has its own ‘brain’
Scientists have now discovered that the heart has its own complex nervous system – a 'mini brain', if you will – that is crucial to controlling its rhythm.
Article • Experts explore the future of CSP, CRT, ICD
Implantable cardiac devices: which techniques are ready for prime time?
Opposing views on new implantable cardiac devices were aired in a Great Debate session at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual 2024 congress in London. Experts discussed emerging techniques and technologies and debated whether they are actually ready for clinical application. At the core of the session was the issue of whether conduction system pacing (CSP) should replace cardiac…
