Volume XVII | Issue 1 | January 2025 | |
HCI's Monthly Review of the Healthcare Industry | |
Robert J. Stilley
President, CEO
HeartCare Imaging, Inc.
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Dear Colleagues –
One definition of embrace is to “accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically.”
We are fortunate to work with great hospitals in 17 states across the country. A couple of years ago, while traveling in Wyoming, I asked a local how they cope with the cold and long winters. Expecting a response about enduring the season for the reward of a beautiful spring, summer, and fall, I was caught off guard by their answer: We embrace winter—we love it.
They acknowledged the cold and snow but didn’t see them as obstacles. Instead, they dressed appropriately, hopped on snowmobiles, went ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and found ways to fully enjoy the season. Rather than dreading winter, they made it work for them.
That got me thinking. Most Floridians complain about the long, hot, humid summers. So, I decided to try embracing summer instead of enduring it. I didn’t change the heat, but I found ways to enjoy it—dressing for the weather, getting on the water, kayaking, snorkeling, and exercising in the early morning before cooling off with afternoon thunderstorms and stunning sunsets. Summers that once felt endless became enjoyable. In fact, on some cold January days, I even miss them.
This shift in perspective applies to more than just the seasons. Life is full of challenges—at work, in relationships, and in unexpected problems. We can either resist them and be miserable, or we can embrace them as opportunities to grow, solve problems, and improve. The satisfaction of overcoming a challenge is far greater than the frustration of avoiding it.
The good news? We all have the power to shift our mindset. By embracing challenges instead of dreading them, we not only make things better—we live a happier, more fulfilling life.
So, the next time you’re faced with something difficult, ask yourself: How can I embrace this? You might be surprised at how much lighter life feels when you stop fighting against it and start making the most of it.
Best Regards,
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PET scans unlock clues that could help prevent epilepsy induced by head injuries
A team of neuroscience experts recently gained new insight into how post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) manifests after someone sustains a traumatic brain injury.
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Dementia cases are about to skyrocket—how will this affect imaging demand?
Recent projections on the expected rise of dementia diagnoses could lead to an unprecedented demand for nuclear imaging.
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Experts update AUC for amyloid, tau PET imaging for first time in more than a decade
Appropriate use criteria for amyloid and tau PET imaging have been updated for the first time in over a decade.
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Next-Generation Tau Radiotracers Outperform FDA-Approved Imaging Agents in Detecting Alzheimer’s Disease
Two new PET radiotracers have outperformed the only currently Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved radiotracer for detecting tau tangles in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. In a head-to-head comparison of the three imaging agents, the next-generation radiotracers exhibited higher binding to Alzheimer’s disease brain tissue and a greater selectivity for identifying the tangles. This research, which was published in the January issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, could play a key role in measuring outcomes of clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease treatments.
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JNM Publishes Procedure Standard/Practice Guideline for Fibroblast Activation Protein PET
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) have issued a new procedure standard/practice guideline for the use of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) PET. Published in the January issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, the procedure standard/practice guideline was developed to assist providers in recommending and performing FAP PET, as well as interpreting and reporting results of the imaging studies.
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Novel PET Approach Identifies Early Signs of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
A new molecular imaging technique—18F-FAPI PET—can detect the first signs of tissue remodeling in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), providing physicians with an early marker for disease progression. This approach has the potential to pave the way for more personalized management of PAH, offering more timely interventions to improve patient prognosis.
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Yes, physicians warn, cannabis is bad for the heart
Cannabis use is on the rise throughout the United States, but it is not as harmless as some people may believe. In fact, according to a new in-depth analysis in Nature Reviews Cardiology, regular cannabis use increases a person’s risk of multiple adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including myocardial infarction, arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy.
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AI-powered heart assessments of NFL veterans could help cardiologists tackle CVD
HeartFlow, the California-based healthcare company known for its advanced artificial intelligence (AI) software, has partnered with Denver’s Boone Heart Institute to launch a new registry focused on gathering heart data from retired NFL players.
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Certain low-risk populations continue baby aspirin use, despite risk and clinical guidance
Some Asian, Black and Mexican American adults at low ASCVD risk continue taking baby aspirin, despite risk and clinical guidance. Similar observations were reported for those on Medicaid or without insurance.
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Heart transplant patients on Medicaid face a higher risk of major complications
Heart transplant patients insured by Medicaid face a significantly higher risk of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), according to new research published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
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New MRI technique spots signs of heart disease before symptoms emerge
Researchers with the University of Virginia Arlington are working to develop a new way of analyzing fat content around the heart.
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Heart disease remains leading cause of death as key health risk factors continue to rise
Fueled by ongoing increases in high blood pressure, obesity and other major risk factors, heart disease continues to kill more people in the U.S. than any other cause, according to the American Heart Association's 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistic.
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While most Americans use a device to monitor their heart, few share that data with their doctor
A new national survey found that while many Americans use a device to monitor their heart, few share that data with their doctor.
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Researchers make breakthrough in bioprinting functional human heart tissue
Researchers have developed a way of bioprinting tissues that change shape as a result of cell-generated forces, in the same way that it happens in biological tissues during organ development. The breakthrough science focused on replicating heart tissues, bringing research closer to generating functional, bioprinted organs, which would have broad applications in disease modelling, drug screening and regenerative medicine.
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Patients with heart disease may be at increased risk for advanced breast cancer
Study finds individuals with advanced or metastatic breast cancer at diagnosis are more likely to have pre-existing cardiovascular disease, versus those with early-stage cancer.
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How Do GLP-1s Affect Cardiac Structure and Skeletal Muscle?
Merck has acquired the exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist from Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, for an upfront payment of $112 million. The deal could go on to include up to $1.9 billion in additional payments based on whether or not certain developmental and regulatory milestones are met.
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Two dead, dozens sickened in Kansas tuberculosis outbreak
A wave of tuberculosis cases hitting the Kansas City, Kansas, metro area has caused dozens of illnesses and at least two deaths, according to the state health department.
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Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic Gets FDA Approval as Kidney-Disease Treatment
Ozempic can now be used to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease or kidney failure in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease
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Fluctuating Cholesterol Tied to Higher Dementia Risk
Unexplained lipid changes in older adults may foretell cognitive decline, study suggests.
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Shorter Oral Regimens Measure Up to Standard Ones for Rifampin-Resistant TB
Randomized trial supports three, 9-month regimens with broad applicability.
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DNA nanorobots can alter artificial cells
Scientists have succeeded in controlling the structure and function of biological membranes with the help of 'DNA origami'.
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Discovery of new skeletal tissue advances regenerative medicine potential
An international research team has discovered a new type of skeletal tissue that offers great potential for advancing regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
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Urine-based test detects aggressive prostate cancer
The test can differentiate between various grades of cancer, helping men avoid unnecessary biopsies.
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Bowel cancer prediction test for IBD patients 90% accurate
A new method for detecting bowel cancer is more than 90% accurate at predicting which higher-risk people will develop the disease, according to research.
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Pharmacists in warning over weight-loss jab sales
Pharmacy leaders have issued a fresh warning over the online sale of weight-loss jabs insisting there is still a risk to patient safety.
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Health Care Industry News | |
Top healthcare conferences to plan for in 2025
Here are notable events hospital, payer and tech executives should consider attending this year, running the gamut from digital health to financial management to medical innovation.
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Health systems' top 4 digital transformation trends in '25
Digital transformation is likely to accelerate at health systems in 2025, a Deloitte study found.
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Express Scripts becomes latest PBM to follow in Mark Cuban's footsteps: 5 notes
In a move to increase transparency and lower prescription drug costs, Express Scripts, a subsidiary of Evernorth Health Services (part of the Cigna Group), has announced several new measures aimed at improving pharmacy benefits for patients and plan sponsors.
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Healthcare bankruptcies declined in 2024: report
Still, bankruptcy filings remained elevated, with the sector reaching the second-highest amount in the past six years, according to healthcare restructuring advisory firm Gibbins Advisors.
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U.S. Sues Walgreens for Role in Opioid Crisis
Justice Department says Walgreens filled prescriptions that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, were invalid or weren’t issued in professional practice
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Loneliness linked to higher risk of heart disease and stroke and susceptibility to infection
Interactions with friends and family may keep us healthy because they boost our immune system and reduce our risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, new research suggests.
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Oral Microbiome May Influence Cognitive Decline and Brain Health
The microbial ecosystems in our mouths may impact cognitive function as we age, with pathogenic bacteria linked to cognitive decline. Researchers found that beneficial bacteria, such as Neisseria, are associated with improved memory and attention, while harmful bacteria like Porphyromonas correlate with mild cognitive impairment.
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Processed Red Meat Linked to Higher Dementia Risk
A study of over 133,000 individuals found that consuming processed red meat daily increases dementia risk by up to 13%, while replacing it with alternatives like nuts, legumes, or fish may lower the risk by 20%.
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Hearing Loss May Signal Increased Risk of Parkinson’s Disease
A new study has identified a potential link between hearing impairment and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
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New drug shows promise in restoring vision for people with nerve damage
Researchers have found a promising drug candidate that could help restore vision in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological conditions that damage neurons.
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Dopamine Clock May Drive Bipolar Mood Swings
New research suggests that mood swings in bipolar disorder are regulated by two clocks: the body’s 24-hour circadian rhythm and a dopamine-based clock that influences alertness. When these clocks align at specific intervals, they may trigger shifts between mania and depression.
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HeartCare Imaging, Inc. | Phone: 561-746-6125 | Fax: 561-741-2036 | info@heartcareimaging.com | | | | |
