Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine (THI) congratulates Juan Carlos Lopez-Mattei, MD, Chief of Advanced Cardiac Imaging at THI, on the release of three major national cardiology publications this month that advance standards in cardiovascular imaging, particularly for patients with cancer and those undergoing structural heart procedures.
The publications include the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Statement, original research in JACC: Advances, and a national advanced training statement in JACC. These publications reflect the leadership in multimodality cardiovascular imaging and its continued role in shaping clinical standards and physician training across the country.
Among the most significant is the AHA Scientific Statement, “Coronary Atherosclerosis in Patients with Cancer and Survivors,” published February 9, 2026, in Circulation. The statement provides comprehensive guidance on surveillance, risk stratification, and management of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with cancer and cancer survivors, an increasingly high-risk and growing population. The document calls for more rigorous research, earlier detection strategies, and standardized imaging approaches to better guide therapy and improve long-term outcomes.
In addition, original research published February 9, 2026, in JACC: Advances— “Preprocedural and Postprocedural CT Imaging Can Identify Patients at Risk for Complications After LAA Occlusion,” demonstrates how cardiac CT imaging can help predict complications following left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion procedures. The single-center study of 165 Watchman FLX cases found that smaller LAA ostial dimensions, oval morphology, and greater device compression on CT, were associated with significantly fewer complications. The findings underscore the value of precise pre- and post-procedural imaging in improving patient selection and procedural planning.
Also released this month, the “2025 ACC/AHA/ASE/ASNC/SCCT/SCMR Advanced Training Statement on Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging,” published in the February 2026 issue of JACC, establishes updated national competency benchmarks, procedural volume standards, and evaluation criteria for multimodality imaging fellowship training. The document sets clear expectations for the next generation of cardiovascular imaging specialists and strengthens quality and consistency across training programs nationwide.
Also featured this month is the “ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Evaluation of Cardiac Masses,” published in the February 2026 issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology. These evidence-based guidelines designate transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and cardiac computed tomography (CT) as the primary “Usually Appropriate” imaging modalities for the diagnosis and management of cardiac masses.
The criteria provide clear, structured recommendations to help physicians evaluate both neoplastic and nonneoplastic cardiac masses with greater diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Representation from Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine contributed to the development of these national standards, reinforcing the Institute’s role in shaping best practices in advanced cardiovascular imaging.
“These publications reflect where cardiovascular care is headed,” said Dr. Lopez-Mattei. “Imaging must be precise, standardized, and tailored to the individual patient. That is the standard we are advancing nationally and delivering daily at The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine.”
With more than 140 peer-reviewed publications and multiple national leadership roles in cardiovascular imaging societies, Dr. Lopez-Mattei’s contributions further position THI as a leader in imaging innovation, clinical standards development, and physician education.
As cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and as cancer survivorship continues to rise, the intersection of oncology and cardiology represents one of the fastest growing and most complex areas in medicine. Through leadership in research, guideline development, and advanced imaging innovation, Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine continues to shape how cardiovascular disease is detected, risk-stratified, and treated—improving outcomes for patients in Houston and around the world.
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