Computed Tomography

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) has become a primary cardiovascular imaging modality in the past 20 years, and was recommended as a 1A recommendation in the 2021 chest pain assessment guidelines. CT calcium scoring has became a primary risk assessment for coronary artery disease and whether patients should be on statins. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is used to for anatomical assessment of the arteries for plaque burden and to identify areas of blockage that may cause ischemia and heart attacks. Additional use of contrast CT perfusion or fractional flow reserve CT (FFR-CT) can offer physiological information on the function of the heart. CT plays a primary role in structural heart assessments for heart valves, repair of congenital defects and left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) for both pre-procedure planning and procedural guidance. Find more news on general radiology CT use.

AI-powered coronary plaque assessments show ‘strong agreement’ with IVUS
HeartFlow's noninvasive Plaque Analysis technology, which uses AI to evaluate CCTA images, delivered assessments that mostly lined up with IVUS results.
$Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow$
AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes
PAD patients evaluated with HeartFlow's noninvasive FFR_CTAnalysis technology prior to surgery experienced much better outcomes, including a 63% lower risk of all-cause mortality after five years.
Cardiology ranked No. 2 among all specialties with 122 FDA-cleared AI models
Only radiology is associated with more FDA-cleared AI algorithms than cardiology, according to new federal data.
AI helps cardiologists track new drug's effect on inflammation
The combination of AI and CT helped Nehal Mehta, MD, and colleagues track the performance of a new drug designed to target coronary inflammation.
AI improves CT assessments, boosts care for real-world heart patients
Automated AI-generated measurements combined with annotated CT images can improve treatment planning and help referring physicians and patients better understand their disease, explained Sarah Jane Rinehart, MD, director of cardiac imaging with Charleston Area Medical Center.

Expert panel recommends coronary CTA as first choice when evaluating for stable CAD

The American College of Cardiology Summit on Technology Advances in Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography shared its assessment in a new report.

September 9, 2020

Plaque characteristics boost predictive power of CTA risk scoring

A CT angiography (CTA)-derived score that also incorporated the extent, location and composition of coronary plaque outperformed a model that focused only on the severity of stenosis, researchers reported Jan. 16 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

January 18, 2019

Industry group releases new guidelines for CT use in TAVR procedures

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) released updated guidelines for using CT imaging in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

January 9, 2019

Han awarded the inaugural 2018 DeHaan Award for Innovation in Cardiology

Vienna, VA (August 13, 2018) — B. Kelly Han, MD, is the recipient of the inaugural 2018 DeHaan Award for Innovation in Cardiology, which includes a $200,000 grant.

August 13, 2018

HeartFlow Analysis Demonstrates Highest Diagnostic Performance for Detecting Heart Disease Compared to Other Non-Invasive Tests

PARIS, May 22, 2018 — HeartFlow, Inc. today announced new data from the PACIFIC trial showed that the HeartFlow Analysis had the highest diagnostic performance for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common form of heart disease, when compared to other commonly used non-invasive cardiac tests.

May 22, 2018

Document offers guidance on curbing radiation exposure during CV imaging

An expert consensus document published May 2 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology offers recommendations for limiting radiation exposure to both patients and medical personnel during cardiovascular imaging procedures.

May 3, 2018

James K. Min named editor-in-chief of Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

James K. Min, MD, has been chosen to be the new editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (JCCT), the official journal of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT). He will serve a five-year term.

May 1, 2018

Non-hospital-based facilities offering cardiac imaging services a rarity in Massachusetts

In 2017, Anthem implemented a new policy that requires outpatient MR and CT scans not considered medically necessary to be completed at a freestanding imaging facility to receive coverage. This went into effect in several states, sparking its fair share of controversy along the way, and a team of Boston-based researchers wanted to know how such a policy could impact patient care in Massachusetts.

March 5, 2018

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Computed Tomography

AI-powered coronary plaque assessments show ‘strong agreement’ with IVUS

AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes

Cardiology ranked No. 2 among all specialties with 122 FDA-cleared AI models

AI helps cardiologists track new drug's effect on inflammation

AI improves CT assessments, boosts care for real-world heart patients

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