New Imaging Techniques Spot HCM Before it Develops

Research funded by the British Heart Foundation using novel cardiac imaging techniques was described in a recent article in Circulation. These techniques, such as quantitative perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac diffusion tensor imaging, can detect pre-clinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) before the development of any thickening in the heart.

With novel treatments like myosin modulators now available to patients, and with  experimental treatments such as gene therapy now on the horizon, these new imaging techniques could allow doctors to intervene at a much earlier stage in order to potentially prevent disease.

You can read more about these imaging techniques here.

Echocardiogram of the Future: Size of a Stamp!

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a small, wearable ultrasound which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assess the structure and function of the human heart for up to a 24 hour period.  And most exciting of all, it is only the size of a postage stamp!

Due to its small size and the lack of bulky equipment, the device can be used at home and during vigorous exercise. This capability will allow for the collection of real life data and will simplify testing for patients.

Read the full paper published in Nature here and a short article in Cardiovascular Business here.