There is a “new normal” for the global medical device market where financial constraints increasingly impact both treatment and purchasing decision-making. As a result, companies develop products that demonstrate improved clinical outcomes and continue to provide services that raise the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery in an increasingly resource-constrained environment.

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with positron emission tomography (PET) has been shown to be superior to single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Nevertheless, widespread clinical use of PET MPI has been limited by the currently available PET myocardial perfusion tracers.

Radiation exposure from multidetector computed tomography (CT) has become a pressing public health concern in both lay and medical publications. Implementation of iterative reconstruction offers the ability to minimize radiation exposure while preserving and, in some cases, improving image quality. However, in order to evaluate iterative reconstruction software, one must first understand the basics of how it works.

Healthcare reform requiring wider access and enterprise sharing of patient images and records are making Web-based cardiology picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) a more attractive solution over traditional thick-client, server-based systems. In just the past few years there has been a departure from thick-client cardiology and radiology PACS to Web-based platforms. There are several reasons for this, including better interoperability, anywhere-anytime access, remote access to data and images, and reduction of IT burdens. Web-based systems also enable easier delivery of many healthcare reform Stage 2 meaningful use (MU) requirements.