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SCMR Management – An Update |
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
On behalf of the SCMR Board of Trustees, I’m writing to share information on upcoming changes in the Society. After more than two decades with Talley Management Group (TMG), we are moving our operations to Association Management Center (AMC). We are grateful for the work TMG has provided to grow our organization to what it is today. Our many achievements are a testament of the strength of the staff that has supported the advancement of our mission.
AMC, a leading Chicago-based association management company that helps associations Achieve What You Believe, will become our full-service management company effective July 1.
Chiara Bucciarelli-Ducci will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer. Her strategic vision and professional experience provide not only continuity of leadership but promise and potential.
As an SCMR member, we anticipate no disruption of service or benefits, but as we transition our headquarters and operations over the coming weeks, we appreciate your patience and understanding if any challenges arise.
The Society looks back on our accomplishments with pride. We look forward with excitement and optimism. Thank you for putting your trust in us as we navigate these changes.
Yours in Service,
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Subha Raman, SCMR President
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Committee & Group Updates |
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SCMR AMA Delegate Status
by Carrie Kovar, Consultant for SCMR
Representation for our members is extremely important. While we boast incredible international inclusivity, in the U.S., this is extremely important to advocate for ourselves and for our patients.
In a big step for representation of our field, in 2019, SCMR applied for and earned membership in the American Medical Association (AMA) Specialty and Service Society (SSS) Caucus. This is a tremendously important step towards representation in the AMA House of Delegates (HoD), where we will join the ranks of the American College of Radiology, American College of Cardiology, American Society of Echocardiography, and other vital specialties.
This would not have been possible if it were not for you.
Without your individual membership in the AMA, our future place at the table is not a given. We need to have a certain percentage of U.S. members also to maintain their membership in the AMA; and, if it falls below a threshold, we will lose our position.
Participation in the AMA SSS, and ultimately the HoD, provides the following benefits:
- Increased opportunities to advocate for appropriate policy regarding imaging utilization;
- Networking opportunities within the houses of cardiology, radiology and other specialties regarding imaging policies
- Access to some sign on opportunities for letters originated by AMA;
- Leveling the playing field for SCMR to be represented with nuclear, electrophysiology, interventional, echo, CT;
- Insights on how services are valued across the House of Medicine and valuable information for effective representation on coding and reimbursement matters.
We need to continue our effort and maintain SCMR representation in the AMA SSS next year. Any society applying to the AMA SSS must certify that 10 percent of its AMA-eligible, U.S. based members are members of the AMA. An association must be represented in the SSS for 3 years before it is eligible to seek admission to the AMA House of Delegates (HoD), when the society must certify that 20 percent of its members are AMA members. For SCMR to stay in the SSS and be able to apply for the HoD, in November 2022, we need to ensure that SCMR members keep up their AMA membership.
This enhanced recognition and status in the imaging community is critical for an opportunity to provide input on matters that directly impact our field. As a point of reference, in addition to the societies mentioned, other imaging stakeholders such as the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, and more recently, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, also have seats in the HoD.
While AMA SSS/HoD status will not directly affect reimbursement or how codes are valued, it may help indirectly with that process. Separately, the SCMR US Working Group will continue to pursue improving codes and reimbursement with other initiatives.
We are counting on SCMR U.S. members to join the AMA or renew your AMA membership. We realize that this is an added expense to our members, but this long-term investment in advocacy will demonstrate our value to the House of Medicine and ultimately our field and the patients we serve.
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SCMR Consensus Group on Cardiac MR Imaging for Female Patients with Cardiovascular Disease |
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Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Women with Cardiovascular Disease: Position Statement from the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) |
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The document was prepared by the SCMR Consensus Group on CMR Imaging for Female Patients with Cardiovascular Disease and endorsed by the SCMR Publications Committee and SCMR Executive Committee. The goals of this document are to (1) guide the informed selection of cardiovascular imaging methods, (2) inform clinical decision-making, (3) educate stakeholders on the advantages of CMR in specific clinical scenarios, and (4) empower patients with clinical evidence to participate in their clinical care. The statements of clinical utility presented in the current document pertain to the following clinical scenarios: acute coronary syndrome, stable ischemic heart disease, peripartum cardiomyopathy, cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction, aortic syndrome and congenital heart disease in pregnancy, bicuspid aortic valve and aortopathies, systemic rheumatic diseases and collagen vascular disorders, and cardiomyopathy-causing mutations.
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Review
Ordovas, et al.
Published on May 10, 2021
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Late-Breaker at this Year’s EuroCMR Meeting |
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Large SPINS-EuroCMR Study Shows Major Cost Savings by CMR-guided Management of Coronary Artery Disease versus Invasive Strategies in 12 Healthcare Systems
The results of an intensive collaboration project between SCMR and EuroCMR were presented at this year’s EuroCMR meeting 2021. A cost minimization analysis was performed based on the large SPINS and EuroCMR registries comprising a total of 5,996 patients from 19 countries and 72 centers in the US and Europe. The costs were calculated for 12 healthcare systems in the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, (Beijing area). International guidelines uniformely recommend the use of functional stenosis evaluation by fractional flow reserve (FFR) for intermediate lesions. Large up-to-date registries in the US and Europe, however, show a substantial deviation from these guidelines with FFR use in only 5-19% of invasive coronary X-ray angiographies (CXA) and only 24-30% of patients undergoing CXA have a positive non-invasive ischemia test. The study presented in the “Late-Breaking Clinical Trials Session” of the EuroCMR meeting demonstrated consistent cost savings of a CMR-guided strategy in comparison to a CXA+FFR strategy in all 12 healthcare systems of 36±21% and 40±19% for the Euro-CMR and SPINS registry data, respectively (Figure). Cost savings were consistent for 5 risk sub-groups and they were even higher for the CXA-only strategy with 62±9% and 70±5% for the Euro-CMR and SPINS registry data, respectively. These results show that a non-invasive CMR-based work-up yields substantial cost savings in comparison to currently used invasive strategies.
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Co-authors:
K. Moschettia, R.Y. Kwongb, S.E. Petersenc,d, M. Lombardie, J. Garotf, D. Atarg, F. E. Rademakersh, L.M. Sierra-Galanh, S. Mavrogenij, K. Lik, J. Lara Fernandesl, S. Schneiderm, C. Pingeta, Y. Geb, P. Antiochosb, C. Deluigin, O. Brudero, H. Mahrholdtp, J. Schwittera
a) University of Lausanne, and University Hospital of Lausanne b) Harvard Medical School, Boston c) Queen Mary University of London, d) Barts Heart Centre e) I.R.C.C.S. Policlinics of San Donato, Milano f) Institut Cardiovasculaire Paris Sud, g) Oslo University Hospital Ulleval, h) University Hospitals Leuven, i) American British Cowdray Medical Center, Mexico City j) Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center and Kapoditrian University of Athens k) Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing l) Jose Michel Kalaf Research Institute, Radiologia Clinica de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil m) Institut für Herz-Infarkt Forschung, Ludwigshafen, Germany n) University Hospital Berne, Switzerland o) Ruhr University Bochum and Elisabeth Hospital, Germany p) Robert Bosch Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany
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On April 30, there were over 150 live participants for SCMR's first 4D Flow CMR Course. Registrants participated from 26 different countries. Feedback was exceptionally positive. If you missed it - this course is now available on-demand.
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Learn How to Utilize 4D Flow CMR at your Institution
- Fundamentals of 4D flow CMR
Sequences, analysis concepts, applications
- Performing your 4D CMR Scan
Imaging protocols for all MRI platforms
- 4D CMR Analysis – Live Cases
Hands-on experience with software solutions
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FDA Issues Final Guidance on Medical Devices in the MR Environment |
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On May 19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued this final guidance: Testing and Labeling Medical Devices for Safety in the Magnetic Resonance (MR) Environment. This guidance document provides the FDA’s recommendations on testing to assess the safety and compatibility of medical devices in the MR Environment and the recommended format for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Safety Information in medical device labeling. Ensuring the safety of patients who use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for disease diagnosis and health management is vital.
Facts about the final guidance
This final guidance:
- Provides recommended format to clarify and simplify labeling for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safety information consistent with FDA-recognized consensus standards.
- Applies to all medical devices that might be used in the MR environment, including all implanted medical devices and all medical devices that are fastened to or carried by a patient (such as, external insulin pump or pulse oximeter). Note: the guidance does not apply to the MR system or accessories, such as MR coils and positioning pads.
- Provides recommendations on MR safety and compatibility assessments and labeling information that should be included in premarket submissions.
Upcoming webinar on this guidance
On June 24, 2021, the FDA will host a webinar for industry and others interested in learning more about the guidance.
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INCAPS COVID 2 Survey - Call to SCMR Members |
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has conducted a number of surveys of worldwide cardiac imaging practice. The most recent survey, on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac diagnostic testing practices, is called INCAPS COVID and has recently been published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Regrettably, the initial survey contained minimal information about CMR. As CMR is playing an increasing role in COVID-19 pandemic, SCMR feels it is important to have a robust representation on the practice of CMR globally during the pandemic. A follow-up INCAPS COVID 2 survey is now underway.
Please take few minutes to contribute to this new survey here - deadline is May 31.
There are 3 parts to the INCAPS COVID 2 survey:
1. basic data about you and your lab/facility
2. a series of questions about your lab/facility’s practices regarding COVID-19; and
3. an estimate of the numbers of different cardiac imaging procedures your lab/facility has done during the pandemic (April 2020 and April 2021) and during the baseline month of March 2019. If your lab/facility participated in last year’s survey, we only need you to provide the new data from April 2021. We anticipate this should take only 10 minutes of your time per lab/facility.
The one or two individuals contributing data from each facility will be included in publications as a member listed by name in the INCAPS COVID 2 Investigators Group
If you are affiliated with multiple facilities/centres, please complete the survey separately for each centre.
Many thanks for your help and cooperation in continuing to advance and advocate for the role of CMR in cardiovascular disease.
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What caught our cardiac MR eyes this month?
by Manish Motwani, Newsletter Editor
Twitter-based #WhyCMR journal watch 🧲 - join the online discussion!
7.AOMG - large vortices on 4D-flow can predict cardiac output assessment errors 🌀🌪🎯
9.APirfenidone ⬇ myocardial fibrosis by #WhyCMR ECV in pts w HFpEF? 💊💊
12.ACMR in women with CV disease: position statement 🧲👩👵🦸♀️👨👩👧👦🤰👩🚀
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SCMR 2020 Memberships
expired on December 31.
The 90-day grace period has now
ended for all 2020 memberships.
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Now Accepting Applications
The FSCMR designation provides a way for physicians, scientists, and technologists to be recognized for their dedication to the SCMR and the field of CMR. The FSCMR designation distinguishes those with a significant level of involvement, dedication, and accomplishments consistent with the overall mission of the Society.
FSCMR BENEFITS:
- Entitlement to use designation of Fellow (FSCMR) on business cards, curriculum vitae, and other professional documents.
- Ability to promote your status. FSCMR members receive an FSCMR certificate to display in their office.
- Recognition in the SCMR community. New FSCMR awardees will be publicized in the SCMR Newsletter. List of all FSCMRs will be visibly and permanently posted on the SCMR website.
- Listing on the SCMR on-line Patient Information Portal (under development) to help guide patients seeking a CMR expert.
- FSCMR recognition on name badges at SCMR meetings and in the SCMR Scientific Sessions Final Program
- FSCMR lapel pin
- Recognition as a new FSCMR designee at SCMR’s Annual Business Meeting during the SCMR Scientific Sessions
BASIC CRITERIA
All applicants will be Regular or Technologist members of SCMR in good standing for the past three (3) consecutive years with a distinguished record of CMR science, education, or clinical practice. Find out more about criteria for each track.
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Those who wish to be considered should:
- Have web and/or social media experience
- Include a one page cover letter with relevant experience
- Be a member in good standing for five consecutive years (three years for Early Career candidates)
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EDINBURGH IMAGING - First Gallium FAPI Cardiac PET/MR Images
Fibroblast activation protein is expressed by activated myofibroblasts within regions of active fibrosis (1). Fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) binds to fibrosis activation protein. When radiolabelled (most commonly with gallium) FAPI can function as a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer to detect fibrosis activity (2).
Research into FAPI PET so far has focused on patients with cancer with uptake within various types of tumour widely reported (3) (4). Its role in cardiovascular disease has not yet been widely investigated outside of a small number of case reports and retrospective series of non-cardiovascular PET.
In Edinburgh, we recently performed 68Ga-FAPI PET-cardiovascular magnetic resonance (PET/MR) in several cases of acute myocardial infarction (Figure). Intense uptake was demonstrated within the infarct in correspondence with late gadolinium enhancement with low values in the blood pool and remote myocardium. To the best of our knowledge, these scans are the first example of 68Ga-FAPI PET performed in patients who do not have or are suspected of having cancer. They were also the Edinburgh Imaging Facility’s first ever Gallium radiotracer scans.
We plan to image a larger number of patients and healthy volunteers to learn more about the scarring process in the heart and blood vessels following myocardial infarction and whether this predicts myocardial remodelling.
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Figure. Intense 68Ga-FAPI uptake within cases of acute anterior (left) and posterior (right) myocardial infarction. Tracer uptake corresponds to the area of infarction detected on CMR assessment with late gadolinium enhancement.
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Research/Edinburgh Imaging Facility Team
Back L to R: Professor David Newby,
Dr Evangelos Tzolos (@TzolosEvangelos)
Professor Marc Dweck (@MarcDweck)
Front row: Dr Anna Barton (@AnnaKateBarton)
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Research/Edinburgh Imaging Facility Team
Professor Scott Semple
@EdinUniImaging @EdinUniCVS
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Radiopharmacy Team. Clint Waight who was principally involved in synthesising 68Ga-FAPI pictured front right. Twitter @CulCulClint and @EdRadiopharmacy (NB - pre-COVID photo)
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Last month, the SCMR hosted six live Question and Answer Sessions, each coinciding with a session from the SCMR 2020 CBCMR Board Review Course. Attendees had the chance to ask experts questions openly in a casual setting. These sessions were available to all who had purchased the 2020 CBCMR Review Course. These recorded sessions are now available in the SCMR Online Learning Portal within SCMR's 2020 CBCMR Review Course.
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Advantages of Deep Learning in Clinical CMR Practice |
This GE-sponsored webinar took place on April 20, 2021 - and is now available on-demand. It features a panel discussion moderated by Jonathan Weinsaft, MD (Weill Cornell Medicine, New York) featuring guest speakers Alexander Hirsch, MD, PhD (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands) and Shreyas Vasanawala, MD, PhD (Stanford University)
Topics Include:
- Rapid and Automated Approaches to Pediatric Cardiac MRI
- Myocardial Tissue Characterization with Deep Learning Reconstruction
These renowned experts will highlight innovations in the cardiac MR field, including findings on the impact of deep-learning reconstruction and acceleration for cardiac imaging.
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Bi-ventricular Short Axis Slice Positioning
A stack of short axis (SA) images provides a myriad of essential information of the right and left ventricles. Global function of the heart and regional wall motion abnormalities can be assessed with a full ventricular stack of SA cines. These images will then be analysed with a semi-automated software to provide vital quantitative physiological data to aid diagnosis. STIR, parametric mapping, and early and late gadolinium images prescribed in the same SA orientation will reveal important tissue characteristic information such as oedema, and the distribution of scar tissue in the myocardium.
Correctly positioning the first SA slice is hugely important. The 4C and 2C cine images are used to align the SA slice so they bisect the insertion points of the mitral valve, as shown in the diagrams below. This will standardise the positioning of the short axis stack, and perfectly define the anatomical starting point of the left ventricle. It is paramount that this first slice is positioned when the heart is seen in end diastole (frame 1 or 25). Sometimes, the MV may be at a very oblique angle to the septum of the heart. If so, you can adjust the angle so the slice will bisect the ventricular septum and lateral wall of the left ventricle at 90 degrees. Ensure the whole of the right ventricle is also included in the SA stack.
Top Tip: Always prescribe an odd set of slices (usually 11,13,15) so there is one slice exactly in the middle of the ventricle.
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Online Educational Opportunities |
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Virtual
June 26-27, 2021
Online
October 2-4, 2021
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Presented by the SCMR PEDS/CHD Education Sub-Committee
Let’s chat about... interesting cases
- “It would be nice to share this interesting case with others.”
- “What on earth is this? I am frankly clueless. SOS!”
- "Such a challenging case. I wonder what experts would think?”
If any of the statements above have ever crossed your mind, we have just the webinar for you!
Join us as interesting cases are presented from your colleagues around the world, with viewpoints provided by renowned experts in congenital CMR.
There may be no ‘right answer’, but together we can learn from each other in this informal setting and improve our understanding of complex cases that come our way.
Stay tuned for future case webinars where we will invite you to submit your exciting, challenging, or interesting cases for review!
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The SCMR web site hosts “Case of the Week” - a case series designed to present case reports demonstrating the unique attributes of CMR in the diagnosis or management of cardiovascular disease. Each clinical presentation is followed by a brief discussion of the disease and unique role of CMR in disease diagnosis or management guidance. By nature, some of these are somewhat esoteric, but all are instructive. Recently we have published the case archive from 2019 in JCMR as a means of further enhancing the education of those interested in CMR and as a means of archiving this incredible resource from our members on PubMed.
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May 1 - 24, 2021
#WhyCMR Activity
Each month our social media committee correspondents update us on the latest #WhyCMR activity stats, most popular tweets or threads. Join the conversation and use the #WhyCMR in your social media posts and follow @SCMRorg!
By the numbers, #WhyCMR is going strong as we get thru the Spring and are about to head towards the Summer! Impressions, Tweets, Participants, Avg Tweets/Hour, and Avg Tweets/Participant are all trending compared to last month!!! Thank you to SCMR, Social Media Chair Dr. Purvi Parwani (@purviparwani), and to all who love, utilize, and advance cardiovascular magnetic resonance around the globe! #SCMRaweSoMe
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Scan QR Code with your smart phone camera to view the tweet. |
Scan QR Code with your smart phone camera to view the paper. |
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Research
Backhaus, et al.
Published on 17th of May 2021
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Research
Hajhosseiny, et al.
Published on 17th of May 2021
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Research
Nakamura, et al.
Published on 17th of May 2021
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Research
Militaru, et al.
Published on 13th of May 2021
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Research
Sourdon, et al.
Published on 13th of May 2021
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Research
Marlevi, et al.
Published on 13th of May 2021
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Please use this link for a filtered PubMed list of all CMR-related manuscripts for May 2021 – more than 300 in total!
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Manish Motwani
Newsletter Editor
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