Several key trends at the 2023 annual meeting of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography were outlined by society President Ed Nicol, MD, including AI, reimbursement issue, business management discussions, and a growing interest in cardiac CT leading to record attendance this year.

AI to help interpret cardiac CT was shown to reduce exam read times to improve workflow efficiency, and improve patient diagnostics with additional information on soft plaques. Data was presented in three HeartFlow AI technology studies at SCCT 2023.

Coronary CT angiography is commonly used to assess patients at low or intermediate risk of CAD but is less effective in high-risk patients with an increased presence of coronary calcifications and stents due to the “blooming” effect they have on imaging.

Most FDA-cleared AI algorithms are related to radiology and cardiology, meaning radiologists and cardiologists need to make an effort to learn how these technologies work.

The FDA is reclassifying interventional cardiovascular implant simulation software into the class II (special controls) regulatory category, which will make it easier for the technology to pass regulatory approval. 

James Udelson, MD, an investigator involved with the PRECISE trial, explained how patient outcomes were improved by 70% from the current standard of care.

Suhny Abbara, MD, editor of Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging and chief of cardiothoracic imaging for University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, discusses how spectral computed tomography (CT) can help both cardiac and general CT imaging.

Contrary to older research that showed neuroimaging emerging as the single most dominating cost contributor in ischemic stroke care for older Americans, a new study shows treatment and other line items account for bigger slices of the bill.