Monday, June 14, 2010

Carotid artery ultrasound is an effective alternative to more invasive coronary angiography

New research from NYU Langone Medical Center shows that a simple, inexpensive and noninvasive carotid artery ultrasound of the neck can be used as a preliminary diagnostic tool for coronary artery disease (CAD). This may be an alternative to the standard, expensive and more invasive coronary angiography. The ultrasound test can also be used to rule out the diagnosis of CAD in patients presenting with reduced heart pump function. The new study appears in the June 2010 issue of the American Heart Journal.

"Our research has identified that carotid artery ultrasound is capable of identifying the presence of severe and extensive coronary artery disease," said Harmony R. Reynolds, MD, assistant professor of Medicine and associate director of the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center at NYU Langone Medical Center. "Based on our findings, physicians might consider using the carotid ultrasound test as an initial screen for CAD in patients with reduced heart pump function and no history of heart attack. If a patient tests positive for plaque buildup in the neck arteries, then it can be followed by angiography of the heart arteries."

When a patient has reduced heart function, severe and extensive CAD is often the cause. CAD is a narrowing of the arteries in the heart caused by deposits of plaque. This condition reduces the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart and may lead to weakening of heart muscle and/or a heart attack.

source: EurekAlert

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Thyroid Ultrasound Takes Center Stage at Caesars Palace

LAUREL , MD - June 8, 2010 – The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) are collaborating to present Thyroid and Parathyroid Imaging and Update on Thyroid Disorders, July 31–August 1, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. During this continuing medical education event, endocrinologists, radiologists, sonographers, and other health care providers interested in thyroid/parathyroid imaging will be updated on the growing applications of sonography in the evaluation of thyroid and parathyroid disease.

“Ultrasound has become a significant tool to examine thyroid and parathyroid glands, stage thyroid cancer, and guide biopsies and procedures,” said course cochair Daniel Duick, MD. “These capabilities are allowing for greatly improved patient care, and practitioners need to be up-to-date.”

The course will incorporate live scanning demonstrations and presentations from experts in neck sonography, endocrinology, radiology, pathology, and endocrine surgery.

source: AIUM

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

SonoSite Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Visualsonics

SonoSite, Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!sono/quotes/nls/sono (SONO 29.03, -0.06, -0.21%) , the world leader and specialist in bedside and point-of-care ultrasound, today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire privately held Visualsonics, a Toronto-based company focused on ultra high-frequency micro-ultrasound technology. The aggregate transaction value will be approximately $71 million net of cash and debt.

Visualsonics is the technology leader in real-time ultra high-frequency micro-ultrasound that presently serves the rapidly growing pre-clinical research market. Founded in 1999 by Stuart Foster, Ph.D., at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Visualsonics' micro-ultrasound technology uses five times the center frequency range currently used in conventional ultrasound systems (40MHz versus 8MHz) and enables the visualization of superficial anatomy on small living animals with microscopic detail, discerning features as small as 40 microns (versus conventional ultrasound, which visualize 200 microns). Visualsonics' technology has the potential to pave the way for a new era of extreme high-resolution ultrasound imaging of superficial anatomy in clinical medicine.

source: MarketWatch