Heart failure is the fourth most common cause for all admission to U.S. hospitals, and it is the most common reason for ordering an inpatient transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). Research presented at the 30th Annual American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) Scientific Sessions shows patients who received an echocardiogram with contrast were less likely to require repeat tests and had shorter hospitalizations overall. This study shows the value of contrast (ultrasound enhancing agent/UEA) for improving clinical care and potentially decreasing healthcare costs.

Canon Medical Systems USA Inc. is helping to provide low-cost patient care solutions for its customers with the launch of the Encore Orian MR upgrade program. The program enables users of Canon Medical’s magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, including the Vantage and Atlas, to upgrade their system to Canon Medical’s brand new MR, the Vantage Orian 1.5T, with significantly less downtime and a lower cost than purchasing a new system.

When used with a common heart scan, machine learning, a type of artificial intelligence (AI), does better than conventional risk models at predicting heart attacks and other cardiac events, according to a study published in the journal Radiology.

Montefiore Nyack Hospital, an acute care hospital in Rockland County, N.Y., announced it is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) software to assist in identifying urgent life-threatening conditions on patient computed tomography (CT) scans. The commercial solution from medical AI company Aidoc automatically prioritizes critical medical conditions, ensuring patients are diagnosed and treated faster. Montefiore Nyack is the first regional hospital in the New York metropolitan area to use Aidoc, joining more than 160 medical centers worldwide.