A Diagnostics & Imaging Week

A multicenter study unveiled at this year's annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology (Washington) in Chicago has found the cost savings of two leading non-invasive methods for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD) vary based on the patient's heart history.James Min, MD, cardiologist at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell (New York) presented the findings.

The study found that patients who underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA), without a prior diagnosis of CAD, incurred costs $603 lower (per-patient average) than those who underwent myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI or SPECT). Both groups had equal clinical outcomes.

Patients with known CAD who underwent MPI incurred healthcare costs $2,451 lower (per patient) than CCTA patients with equal clinical outcomes, suggesting that CCTA may be a cost-efficient alternative in patients without a prior CAD diagnosis.

"This provides an initial foundation to suggest that CCTA may be used as a cost-efficient alternative to nuclear stress testing for evaluation of patients with suspected coronary artery disease," Min said.

In other news from the ACC meeting:

GE Healthcare (Waukesha, Wisconsin) says it is scaling down both the size and cost of big cardiovascular ultrasound equipment with a product that's more accessible to physicians offices and imaging centers, by launching, at this year's meeting of the American College of Cardiology (ACC; Washington), the mobile Vivid S5 cardiovascular ultrasound system.

The Vivid S5 features stress echo capabilities and raw data digital imaging with console benefits of a full-sized 17 inch LCD monitor, four active transducer connectors and room for on-board peripherals retained in a miniaturized console weighing less than 160 pounds. Standard machines of similar purpose weigh up to 400 pounds and have a larger footprint, according to GE.

"We're now moving our console technology, with the same level of performance into a mid-price range for smaller clinics and doctor's offices," Al Lojewski, global marketing manager for cardiovascular ultrasound technology at GE told Diagnostics & Imaging Week from the ACC exhibit floor of the meeting.

Vivid S5 costs $60,000 to $90,000, compared to standard models that range in price form $100,000 to $200,000, he said. While the larger units provide 4D imaging, the Vivid model has 2D imaging.

The new system features the "ergonomically friendly" features of its sibling, Vivid S6, according to the company, and Flex-Fit mechanism enables continuous pivoting height adjustment of the control panel, keeping optimal distance from the user and leaving legroom for standing or sitting.

A Flex key, next to the trackball, can be assigned to assume the function of other, more distant keys for minimal effort, increased speed and ease of use. The high contrast wide-angle display monitor includes an auto sensor, automatically adjusting brightness, contrast and gamma levels for environment light, ensuring minimal eyestrain.