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.

Cardiology now has more than 100 FDA cleared AI algorithms

Cardiology makes up 10% of the 692 market-cleared clinical AI algorithms in the FDA’s latest update on the number of patient-facing AI now commercialized in the U.S. Experts share their thoughts on how it is being used.

Video of Dhruv Mehta explaining the two new Canon AI-enabled CT systems launched at the 2023 RSNA. #CanonMedical #RSNA #RSNA23 #RSNA2023

Canon launches two new AI-based CT systems

The company unveiled its latest computed tomography systems at RSNA 2023, aiming to address staffing shortages and improve image quality. 

Cardiac imaging expert Renee Bullock-Palmer, MD, explains how calcium scoring can determine if patients need to be on statins or not.

CT calcium scoring can determine if patients need statins

Renee Bullock-Palmer, MD, director, non-invasive cardiac imaging, at the Deborah Heart and Lung Center, explains CT calcium scoring can determine if a patient needs to take aspirin and statins for prevention of coronary disease.

Example of cardiac CT and how spectral imaging assessment of the scan and show areas myocarditis as part of a demo in the Philips booth at RSNA 2023. Cardiac CT took center stage in all of the large CT vendors this year at RSNA and four new CT scanners where introduced, all of which were being promoted for their cardiac imaging capabilities. Photo by Dave Fornell #RSNA #YesCCT #RSNA23 #RSNA2023

Cardiac CT's continued rise on display at RSNA 2023

CCTA has seen rapid adoption and growth over the past two years, and RSNA vendors fed that trend with new product launches.

Arineta Cardio Imaging cardiovascular CT scanners AI

FDA clears AI-powered image reconstruction technology for cardiac CT scanners

The new technology, trained using more than 3 billion data points, was designed to reduce image noise and improve the overall quality of CT scans. 

Somatom Pro.Pulse CT machine.

Siemens Healthineers unveils smaller dual source CT machine, designed for rural areas

The Somatom Pro.Pulse consumes 20% less power when compared to larger machines, reducing costs for healthcare organizations.

Video of David Hur discussing how to overcome technical challenges in cardiac CT, which he presented on in sessions at SCCT 2023.

Overcoming technical challenges in cardiac CT

David Hur, MD, director of structural heart disease/interventional imaging at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, and an assistant professor of medicine at Yale, explains the technical challenges encountered in cardiac computed tomography (CT) and how to overcome them.

Mark Rabbat, MD, director of cardica CT at Loyola, discusses legislative advocacy efforts by SCCT to gain wider reimbursement for cardiac CT. #SCCT #SCCT23 #SCCT2023

SCCT hopes to increase cardiac CT reimbursements through advocacy

Mark Rabbat, MD, discusses the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography's efforts to make an impact by lobbying in Washington. 

Around the web

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

The newly cleared offering, AutoChamber, was designed with opportunistic screening in mind. It can evaluate many different kinds of CT images, including those originally gathered to screen patients for lung cancer. 

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