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.

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Photon-counting technology offers new opportunities in imaging high-risk CAD patients

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.

June 21, 2023

No need for updated imaging prior to major surgery in some cases, new data show

Prior chest imaging can sometimes be just as predictive of adverse events after surgery as updated imaging, according to new data set to be presented at the annual conference of the American College of Cardiology on March 5. 

March 2, 2023

Dual source CT scanners shown to expedite treatment in emergency settings

Dual source CT scanners can eliminate the need for beta blockers to control heart rates during coronary CTA exams.  

March 1, 2023

Radiomics can predict major cardiac events using CCTA images

A CCTA-based radiomics method was recently found to be more accurate in identifying potentially problematic plaques than conventional CCTA anatomical parameters alone.

February 15, 2023
A CT coronary calcium scoring exam at Northwestern Medicine's Central DuPage Hospital in the Chicago Suburbs. Dave Fornell

The remaining gaps in evidence for cardiac CT

While the ACC/AHA 2021 Chest Pain Assessment Guidelines included cardiac CT angiography as a top level recommendation, gaps in evidence still need to be filled.

February 10, 2023
#CTA #photoncountingCT #aortaCT

Photon counting cuts CTA contrast dosage 25%

Not only does the low-volume contrast protocol preserve supplies, it also protects patients who might be vulnerable to adverse reactions and/or side effects from contrast use. 

January 26, 2023

Increased use of CCTA improves CAD outcomes without raising costs

Researchers examined data from nearly 2 million patients, sharing their full findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

January 23, 2023
Blood pressure

‘Revolutionary’ new CT scans identify the most common cause of high blood pressure

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is one the single most common causes of hypertension, but identifying patients with PA—and knowing which ones may benefit from a surgical treatment—can be quite challenging.

January 17, 2023

Around the web

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.

Two advanced algorithms—one for CAC scores and another for segmenting cardiac chamber volumes—outperformed radiologists when assessing low-dose chest CT scans. 

"Gen AI can help tackle repetitive tasks and provide insights into massive datasets, saving valuable time," Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, said Tuesday. 

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