The HCI Spotlight

Volume XVII | Issue 6 | June 2025

THE HCI SPOTLIGHT

HCI's Monthly Review of the Healthcare Industry

Robert J. Stilley

President, CEO

HeartCare Imaging, Inc.

A Message from the CEO

Dear Colleagues –

I just got back from a few days in the Abacos, where I had every intention of relaxing, resetting, and fully embracing island time. And while the scenery delivered—crystal-clear water, fresh seafood, and sunsets that looked like they belonged on a postcard—the logistics had other plans. The power went out more than once, Wi-Fi came and went as it pleased, and the golf cart we were depending on (which, by the way, is the only mode of transportation on the island) died… on the way back from dinner.

We weren’t exactly dressed up—nothing’s fancy there—but we were full, tired, and halfway up a hill when the cart completely gave out. So, naturally, we pushed it to the top, wheeled it into a side lot to park, and walked the rest of the way home in the dark. And honestly? It ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. We laughed the whole way and got a much better story than we bargained for.

The trip was a good reminder that no matter how well you plan, things don’t always go perfectly. At HeartCare Imaging, we strive for excellence in everything we do—but just like that trip, unexpected bumps happen. What sets us apart is how we adapt, find solutions, and stay focused on delivering for our partner clients—even when the path forward requires a little extra push.

So this month, I’m leaning into flexibility and resilience—and I’d love to hear from you. What’s something that didn’t go as planned… and still turned out better than expected?

Best Regards,

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Nuclear Medicine

'Powerful' new PET agent improves the diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer

A new PET imaging agent could help providers better distinguish the different tumor subtypes of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

FDA approves expanded use of PET imaging agent

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the expanded use of GE HealthCare’s beta-amyloid imaging agent.

SNMMI unveils its 2025 Image of the Year

In line with tradition, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging unveiled its Image of the Year during its annual meeting this week.

Industry partnership set to advance research on theranostics

Siemens Healthineers’ latest partnership seeks to bolster research initiatives in theranostics—a growing field that harnesses the power of radiopharmecueticals.

PET Imaging Links Brain Inflammation to Speech Disorder and Parkinson-Like Syndrome

A novel PET imaging approach has revealed distinct patterns of brain inflammation in patients with progressive apraxia of speech (PAOS), a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects speech planning. These findings provide new insight into how neuroinflammation and tau pathology may drive disease progression in PAOS, opening potential avenues for earlier diagnosis and targeted treatments. This research was presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025 Annual Meeting.

New PET Tracer Identifies Diverse Invasive Mold Infections Behind Life-Threatening Illnesses in Cancer and Transplant Patients

A novel PET radiotracer can accurately detect a wide range of mold species that are linked to dangerous infections, according to new research presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025 Annual Meeting. The imaging agent has the potential to dramatically enhance the diagnosis and monitoring of invasive mold infections in patients.

Cardiology

AI turns low-quality MRI scans into helpful heart images

A new advanced artificial intelligence (AI) model is capable of restoring low-quality cardiac MRI scans so that they can still deliver considerable value to cardiologists and other clinicians.

Heart attack deaths are way down after decades of breakthroughs—but other risks have skyrocketed

The number of Americans dying from heart attacks, and ischemic heart disease in general, has decreased dramatically in the last five decades. When it comes to heart failure, atrial fibrillation and a few other complex heart issues, however, mortality rates are actually on the rise.

FDA finalizes new heart warnings for COVID-19 vaccines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized and announced new warnings for COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna that highlight certain cardiac risks. These expanded warnings, first proposed in letters sent to the companies in April, provide additional information about the potential risks of myocarditis and/or pericarditis associated with the two vaccines. Myocarditis and pericarditis can both potentially lead to long-term heart damage.

After cardiac event, people who regularly sit for too long had higher risk of another event

People who were less active, with a daily average of more than 14 hours of sedentary behavior, were more than twice as likely to have another cardiac event, including heart attack, surgery to treat heart issues (coronary revascularization), or to be hospitalized again within a year after the first cardiac event.

People with critical cardiovascular disease may benefit from palliative care

Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on easing symptoms, addressing psychological and spiritual needs, and helping patients and caregivers make critical decisions aligned with their personal beliefs and values.

Simple test could better predict your risk of heart disease

For almost 60 years, measuring cholesterol levels in the blood has been the best way to identify individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease. In a new study, researchers have shown comprehensively that a combination of two lipoprotein markers, measured in a simple blood test, can give more accurate information about individual risk of heart disease than the current blood cholesterol test, potentially saving lives.

Polymer heart valve, the first of its kind to gain commercial approval, linked to positive 1-year data

A new-look polymer heart valve is associated with encouraging one-year outcomes in patients undergoing surgical mitral valve replacement (SMVR), according to new data presented at New York Valves 2025 and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Popular obesity drugs limit amputations, heart issues among patients with peripheral artery disease

Popular weight loss medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are associated with multiple benefits for patients with moderate peripheral artery disease (PAD), according to new data presented at the Society for Vascular Surgery’s annual meeting in New Orleans.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons provides on-the-go risk evaluations with new mobile app

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has developed a new mobile app that provides surgeons, cardiologists and other clinicians with on-the-go access to the group’s advanced risk calculators.

Health

Is Your Brain Aging Faster Than You? New Science Offers Clue

Emerging research on lifestyle changes and the development of preventive approaches are revealing an opportunity to measure and boost cognitive health.

Stop telling me to lower my cortisol - it's making me stressed!

It could apparently change the shape of my face, add pounds to my midriff, and even make my hair fall out.

Why ‘Success Is Quieter’ for Younger Americans

A specific group of nerve cells in the brain stem appears to control how semaglutide affects appetite and weight -- without causing nausea.

Exercise Helps Kids' Mood Disorders, Can Serve As Alternative To Meds, Review Finds

Regular exercise can ease mood disorders in children and teens, offering an alternative to medications like antidepressants, a new evidence review has concluded.

Everyday Packaging May Shed Tiny Plastics Into Your Food, Study Finds

Opening a bottle or unwrapping a piece of deli meat could be adding tiny plastic particles to your food, new research reveals.

New Test Can Predict, Help Prevent Miscarriage

An experimental test can predict a woman’s risk of miscarriage, based on problems in the womb lining that occur prior to pregnancy.

Diminishing Returns With Broader Use of ADHD Meds?

It’s well known that medications used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) do more than address the core symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. They have also been associated with significant reductions in the risk for serious real-world outcomes such as self-harm, unintentional injury, car crashes, and crime.

Novel Drug Lowers Stubbornly High BP in Phase 3 Trial

Lorundrostat, a novel aldosterone synthase inhibitor, lowered blood pressure among adults with uncontrolled hypertension in a phase 3 trial, including in treatment-resistant cases. Adverse events tended to be mild and resolved without intervention, the investigators reported.

Robotic Heart Transplant Marks Surgical Breakthrough

Surgeons have performed the first fully robotic heart transplant in the U.S., using advanced robotic tools to avoid opening the chest.

Health Care Industry News

Cybersecurity takes back seat at rural hospitals facing Medicaid cuts: Report

A growing number of small and rural hospitals are delaying cybersecurity improvements due to looming Medicaid funding cuts, according to a June 30 report from Black Book Research.

Top healthcare conferences to plan for in 2025

Here are notable events executives should consider attending in the second half of the year, running the gamut from digital health to financial management to medical innovation.

Ascension CEO to retire at year’s end

Joseph Impicciche will retire at the end of the calendar year. He will be replaced by current system president Eduardo Conrado.

Health insurers pledge reform to prior authorization

Major health insurers have agreed to six new commitments that should make accessing care easier for patients while removing administrative burden on providers.

Neuroscience

1.7 million patients reveal stunning link between semaglutide and lower dementia risk

A blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drug might be doing more than controlling blood sugar—it could also be protecting the brain. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that people with type 2 diabetes who took semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) had a significantly lower risk of developing dementia. The benefit was especially strong in women and older adults.

Mimicking Exercise in the Brain Could Slow Cognitive Decline

While physical activity is known to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease, many patients are unable to exercise due to frailty or advanced symptoms. A new study identifies a specific gene, ATPPIF1, that is reactivated through exercise and supports neuroplasticity in the brain.

Neighborhood Disadvantage Linked to Alzheimer’s Biomarkers and Inflammation

Living in disadvantaged neighborhoods may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by elevating biomarkers associated with inflammation and neurodegeneration.

Oral-Gut Bacteria Linked to Dementia Risk in Parkinson’s Disease

A new study has found that bacteria from the mouth may migrate to the gut and contribute to cognitive decline in people with Parkinson’s disease. Researchers identified harmful microbes and their toxins in the gut of Parkinson’s patients with dementia, suggesting a possible link between oral hygiene, gut health, and neurodegeneration.

How brain cells meant to help may be making depression worse

searchers identify astrocyte-mediated molecular pathways that are key to the onset and progression of neuroinflammation in clinical depression,

How Acetaminophen Silences Pain Before It Reaches the Brain

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) doesn’t just work in the brain—it also shuts off pain at its source in the peripheral nerves.

HeartCare Imaging, Inc. | Phone: 561-746-6125 | Fax: 561-741-2036 | info@heartcareimaging.com

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