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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Cleerly’s AI software for noninvasive FFR estimates receives a Category 1 CPT code

The company officially launched its Cleerly ISCHEMIA software for delivering noninvasive evaluations of CCTA exams in early 2024. This update provides a closer look at the software from a billing perspective. 

Examples of photon-counting coronary angiography showing how clarity improves as the thickness of the image is reduced. Top: 60-year-old female, with noncalcified plaque (arrowheads) and coronary stenosis (inset images). The reduced section thickness did not affect assessment in this patient. Bottom: 56-year-old female with calcified plaque (arrowheads) and coronary stenosis. The reduced section thickness leads to less calcium blooming and therefore a less severe percentage of stenosis. Courtesy of RSNA

Coronary artery disease classification improved with photon-counting CT

After a photon-counting CT, 54% of patients had their coronary artery disease classification downgraded.

CT-first strategy the most effective path forward when evaluating stable chest pain

Heart teams have several options when patients present with stable chest pain and require further testing. According to a brand new analysis of nearly 800 patients, CCTA may be the best place to start. 

transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

New expert guidelines: Start PHV evaluations with echocardiography, but other imaging modalities can provide value

New guidelines from the American Society of Echocardiography, made in collaboration with the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, represent an update of the group's original recommendations from 2009.

Video of Renee Bullock-Palmer, MD, FSCCT, director, Women’s Heart Center, and director, non-invasive cardiac imaging, at the Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, New Jersey, explaining the latest guidelines that support use of CT angiography at SCCT 2023. #YesCCT #CCTA #CTA #SCCT #SCCT23 #SCCT2023

What new data, expert guidelines tell us about the future of cardiac CT

Renee Bullock-Palmer, MD, details the latest guidelines that support the continued use of CT angiography.

HeartFlow’s AI-powered CAD offering reaches a significant milestone

The company's trademark offering has now been used to evaluate one quarter of a million patients. 

Signify Research Principal Analyst for medical imaging Bhvita Jani explains the recent trends and new technology in CT imaging at RSNA 2023. #RSNA #Medicalimaging #CT #CTA #CCTA #yescct

Trends and advances in CT systems at RSNA 2023

Bhvita Jani, medical imaging principal analyst at Signify Research, discusses the most recent innovations in computed tomography with Radiology Business Digital Editor Dave Fornell. 

Himanshu Gupta, MD, explains use of FFR-CT in daily practice at Valley Health System, New Jersey at SCCT 2023. #FFRCT #Heartflow #SCCT #SCCT23 #SCCT2023

The benefits of implementing FFR-CT in clinical practice

Himanshu Gupta, MD, says the implementation of FFR-CT at his facility has provided significant value. He and his colleagues are even working to explore additional ways the technology can help them improve patient care. 

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Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
GE HealthCare launches new cardiac CT scanner with advanced AI capabilities

GE HealthCare designed the new-look Revolution Vibe CT scanner to help hospitals and health systems embrace CCTA and improve overall efficiency.

Cardiovascular Business
Bracco updates HeartSee coronary flow capacity software with new diagnostic features

Clinicians have been using HeartSee to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease since the technology first debuted back in 2018. These latest updates, set to roll out to existing users, are designed to improve diagnostic performance and user access.

Cardiovascular Business
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.