Newest Trends In Vascular Imaging Presented At Veith Symposium

Main Category: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Also Included In: MRI / PET / Ultrasound;  Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 24 Nov 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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Medical imaging is one of the fastest evolving sectors in healthcare. As presented by Klaus Hagspiel, M.D., Professor of Radiology, Medicine and Pediatrics and Division Chief at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, on average, vendors introduce new generations of computed comography (CT) scanners almost yearly, with new magnetic resonance (MR) technology not far behind.

This leads to inadequate technology assessment for many applications and also to significant costs. The medical community has a high rate of adopting this new technology, sometimes without complete assessment. The latest iteration of CT systems allows scanning of large volumes in extremely short acquisition times, scanning at faster heart rates and tissue characterization.

While all these improvements provide theoretical advantages for cardiac and non-cardiac applications, very few have been scientifically established.

There have been many improvements but which ones have real scientific evidence behind them. Dr. Klaus Hagspiel reviewed some of the recent developments and the literature supporting their use.

In a separate presentation, Alan B. Lumsden, M.D., F.A.C.S., Professor & Chairman at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and Professor of Surgery at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, discussed other new developments in vascular imaging and navigation for endovascular procedures, including 3D systems, combinations of CTA and active fluoroscopy, and remote catheter and guidewire steering.

Finally, Michael J. Jacobs, M.D., Professor of Surgery at the University of Maastricht and Chair of Surgery at the Academic Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands, presented the findings of a trial that tested the clinical relevance of fast contrast enhanced time resolved three dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (4D MRA) of distal calf and pedal vasculature in critical limb ischemia.

Conclusion: In a prospective study, 4D MRA using a 3-Tessa whole-body MR system demonstrated superiority to DSA and US in pedal vasculature imaging in critical limb ischemia and proved to be a persuasive, non invasive method to detect potential pedal bypass target arteries.

VEITH SYMPOSIUM - New York, November 19th to 23rd

Now in its fourth decade, VEITH SYMPOSIUM provides vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists and other vascular specialists with a unique and exciting format to learn the most current information about what is new and important in the treatment of vascular disease. The 5-day event features rapid-fire presentations from world renowned vascular specialists with emphasis on the latest advances, changing concepts in diagnosis and management, pressing controversies and new techniques.

VEITHsymposium is sponsored by Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.

www.veithsymposium.org

Source
Pauline T. Mayer
www.ptmhcm.com