Volume XVII | Issue 10 | October 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 –

Good, trusting relationships make navigating difficult times not only easier—but more importantly, rewarding. Inevitably, challenges will arise, ranging from minor issues to full-fledged crises. When a relationship isn’t built on a strong foundation, these moments can quickly devolve into blame or finger-pointing. But when trust is at the core, both parties can be honest, open, and collaborative in finding solutions.

Like any company, HCI has faced our share of crises. I’ve been both amazed and grateful to see how our partners have worked alongside us to develop solutions that benefit everyone—especially the patients we serve. Together, we’ve created innovative approaches that simply wouldn’t have been possible alone.

In a 24/7 world of healthcare, these relationships make our work not just successful, but deeply rewarding. Thank you to all who continue to trust HCI as your partner.

Please enjoy this month's newsletter!

Best Regards,

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Nuclear Medicine

Domestic Radioisotope Production – The Future Is Now

The United States is experiencing a renaissance in domestic radioisotope production and research.

High-Speed Whole-Body SPECT Tracks Tumor Evolution to Optimize Prostate Cancer Treatment

A new fast and convenient approach to scintigraphy-based monitoring allows physicians to efficiently and reliably assess prostate cancer progression or regression during treatment.

PET Imaging of Inflammation Predicts Recovery, Guides Therapy After Heart Attack

A new approach to PET imaging offers a promising way for physicians to promptly identify patients who are at risk for poor functional recovery after a heart attack, according to new research published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. By visualizing CXCR4--a cellular protein that plays key role in inflammation--this technique can enable the timely implementation of treatments to mitigate inflammation and prevent heart failure progression.

Imaging offers insight into impact of new Alzheimer's treatment from Eli Lilly

New imaging data provide evidence that an amyloid removal treatment for Alzheimer’s effectively slows cognitive decline.

Cardiology

Nuclear cardiology expands beyond perfusion imaging as it enters a new era

Nuclear cardiology is entering a new era—one that goes well beyond the traditional focus on myocardial perfusion imaging.

FDA approves oral semaglutide for reducing cardiovascular risks in adults with type 2 diabetes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Rybelsus, Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide formulation, for reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes. Rybelsus is officially the first oral GLP-1 drug approved for this indication.

New pill could finally control stubborn high blood pressure

A new pill called baxdrostat may offer hope for people whose blood pressure stays high even after taking standard medications.

Advances in imaging could help predict, prevent heart attacks

For decades, cardiologists have known that most heart attacks are not triggered by large, stable blockages in the coronary arteries. Instead, the culprit is often smaller plaques that suddenly rupture with little warning. These vulnerable plaques are lipid-rich, inflamed deposits with thin fibrous caps that suddenly break open and trigger clot formation.

How mental health can influence cardiovascular health

Different subtypes of depression are association with specific cardiometabolic diseases, according to new data presented at ECNP Congress, the annual meeting of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP).

Health

Common viruses linked to ‘dramatic’ spike in heart attack and stroke risk

New study finds COVID and flu raise cardiovascular disease risk for weeks after infection.

Pig kidney removed from New Hampshire man after a record 271 days

A man who lived with a genetically modified pig kidney for a record 271 days had the organ removed and will return to dialysis.

Too much screen time may be hurting kids’ hearts

Too much screen time in youth may set the stage for future heart and metabolic diseases.

Your ZIP Code could reveal your risk of dementia

People living in socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods may face higher dementia risks, according to new research from Wake Forest University.

What to Know About Chemicals and Parkinson’s Disease

Some doctors say the chemicals all around us may be increasing our risk of Parkinson’s disease, the world’s fastest-growing brain disorder.

Health Care Industry News

Few health systems report significant ROI from virtual care: survey

Fewer than 30% of health system leaders said they earned significant return on investment from virtual care offerings, according to the report by Sage Growth Partners.

Teladoc expands insurance coverage at mental health unit BetterHelp

The insurance option, which executives say will improve affordability and encourage enrollment, is now available in seven states and Washington, D.C.

Top healthcare conferences to attend in 2026

These are the events healthcare leaders should plan for next year, covering topics like digital health, rural care and financial management.

Health systems say AI is helping with care management, documentation burden

Executives from Houston Methodist, Risant Health, UPMC and Advocate Health took the stage at HLTH 2025 to discuss early results of their AI investments.

Neuroscience

Ketamine Fails to Outperform Placebo in Major Depression Trial

A large randomized and blinded clinical trial has found no additional benefit of repeated ketamine infusions over standard inpatient care for treating major depression.

Hungry Brain Rewrites Emotional Priorities

New research reveals that hunger can flip female mice from nurturing to aggressive—but only during specific hormonal phases.

First Signs of Multiple Sclerosis Found Years Before Symptoms

Researchers have traced the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis (MS), showing that the immune system begins attacking the brain up to seven years before diagnosis.

Toddler Gut Bacteria Linked to Childhood Anxiety and Depression

A new study suggests that a child’s gut microbiome at age 2 may influence their emotional health years later.

Scientists launch $14.2 million project to map the body’s “hidden sixth sense”

A groundbreaking project is mapping how your brain listens to your body’s hidden signals to keep you alive.

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

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