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.

Key trends in diagnostic heart testing: CT on the rise as some traditional techniques fall out of favor
The cardiac technologies clinicians use for CVD evaluations have changed significantly in recent years, according to a new analysis of CMS data. While some modalities are on the rise, others are being utilized much less than ever before.
FDA clears AI-assisted CCTA software that assesses plaques for signs of heart disease
Caristo Diagnostics, an Oxford-based medtech company founded by cardiologists, has gained FDA clearance for its CaRi-Plaque technology.
Building a successful CCTA program: Physicians and healthcare executives to share advice
CCTA continues to grow more and more important in the day-to-day treatment of heart patients. Hospitals and health systems that fail to embrace the modality risk falling behind.
How AI and CCTA help heart teams plan ahead before PCI
Evan Shlofmitz, DO, director of intravascular imaging at St. Francis Hospital, explains how advanced artificial intelligence technology is used to assess a patient's CT scan before they undergo PCI.
Why cardiac CT adoption remains low among primary care providers
The rapid rise of CCTA represents one of cardiology’s biggest ongoing trends, but most primary care providers are still not embracing a CT-first strategy.

Key trends in diagnostic heart testing: CT on the rise as some traditional techniques fall out of favor

The cardiac technologies clinicians use for CVD evaluations have changed significantly in recent years, according to a new analysis of CMS data. While some modalities are on the rise, others are being utilized much less than ever before.

FDA clears AI-assisted CCTA software that assesses plaques for signs of heart disease

Caristo Diagnostics, an Oxford-based medtech company founded by cardiologists, has gained FDA clearance for its CaRi-Plaque technology.

Building a successful CCTA program: Physicians and healthcare executives to share advice

CCTA continues to grow more and more important in the day-to-day treatment of heart patients. Hospitals and health systems that fail to embrace the modality risk falling behind.

Evan Scott Shlofmitz, DO, Director of Intravascular Imaging, St. Francis Hospital, in Roslyn, New York, explains how he uses Heartflow's artificial intelligence technology to assess a patient's coronary artery disease from noninvasive CT scans to preplan PCI procedures.

How AI and CCTA help heart teams plan ahead before PCI

Evan Shlofmitz, DO, director of intravascular imaging at St. Francis Hospital, explains how advanced artificial intelligence technology is used to assess a patient's CT scan before they undergo PCI.

Why cardiac CT adoption remains low among primary care providers

The rapid rise of CCTA represents one of cardiology’s biggest ongoing trends, but most primary care providers are still not embracing a CT-first strategy.

Video of James Min, MD, explaining the future of cardiac care using CT and AI plaque analysis to create a personalized and more accurate cardiac risk assessment, similar to a mammogram for the heart.

Embracing the future: James Min left academia to push for a paradigm shift in preventive cardiology

James Min, MD, Cleerly's founder and CEO, changed careers to address what he saw as a major unmet need in cardiology.

Opportunistic imaging detects signs of heart disease in lung cancer patients

These findings show that opportunistic imaging could go a long way toward making more patients aware of the cardiovascular risks they face—all without requiring additional scans to be performed.

The impact of Trump tariffs on iodine contrast media costs

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Key trends in diagnostic heart testing: CT on the rise as some traditional techniques fall out of favor

Cardiovascular Business

ASE updates recommendations for assessing right heart function in patients with pulmonary hypertension

The new guidelines were designed to ensure sonographers and other members of the heart team have the information they need to screen patients when appropriate and identify early warnings signs of PH.

Radiology Business

Shift toward imaging outside the hospital could save billions

Harvard’s David A. Rosman, MD, MBA, explains how moving imaging outside of hospitals could save billions of dollars for U.S. healthcare.