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.

AI-powered FFR-CT software linked to considerable cost savings, accurate predictions
According to Heartflow, its AI offering saves health systems nearly $1,400 per patient thanks to reductions in unnecessary cardiovascular testing.
Reimbursement expected to drive implementation of CCTA, coronary plaque analysis
For years, imaging experts have predicted that CCTA may become the primary imaging modality for coronary artery disease and eliminate the need for invasive diagnostic catheterizations. That prediction is now coming true.
Siemens Healthineers unveils new AI-powered CCTA software
The new software, announced at RSNA 2025 in Chicago, was built to evaluate CCTA images for signs of coronary artery disease and improve cath lab efficiency.
Reimbursement for AI-based plaque assessments is improving
A growing number of private insurers are now covering these advanced technologies. Roosha Parikh, MD, told Cardiovascular Business that the hard work of SCCT and other groups has helped make this happen.
AI-enabled coronary plaque quantification outperforms traditional risk scores
Researchers used AI-enabled software developed by Cleerly to evaluate the CCTA results of more than 6,000 patients. The software was consistently effective, identifying patients who may face an increased risk of poor outcomes.

AI-powered FFR-CT software linked to considerable cost savings, accurate predictions

According to Heartflow, its AI offering saves health systems nearly $1,400 per patient thanks to reductions in unnecessary cardiovascular testing.

Reimbursement expected to drive implementation of CCTA, coronary plaque analysis

For years, imaging experts have predicted that CCTA may become the primary imaging modality for coronary artery disease and eliminate the need for invasive diagnostic catheterizations. That prediction is now coming true.

Siemens Healthineers software Syngo.CT Coronary Cockpit

Siemens Healthineers unveils new AI-powered CCTA software

The new software, announced at RSNA 2025 in Chicago, was built to evaluate CCTA images for signs of coronary artery disease and improve cath lab efficiency.

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) is seeing major progress in its long-running push to secure broad reimbursement for artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled coronary CT angiography (CCTA) plaque analysis. According to Roosha Parikh, MD, FACC, FSCCT, associate director of Cardiac CT at St. Francis Heart Hospital, Long Island, New York, and a member of the SCCT Health Policy and Practice Committee, both Medicare and a growing number of private insurers are now covering the technology.

Reimbursement for AI-based plaque assessments is improving

A growing number of private insurers are now covering these advanced technologies. Roosha Parikh, MD, told Cardiovascular Business that the hard work of SCCT and other groups has helped make this happen.

AI-enabled coronary plaque quantification outperforms traditional risk scores

Researchers used AI-enabled software developed by Cleerly to evaluate the CCTA results of more than 6,000 patients. The software was consistently effective, identifying patients who may face an increased risk of poor outcomes.

Coronary calcium may predict a patient's risk of dying from noncardiac conditions

Calcium in the coronary arteries is a known cardiac risk factor. However, new data suggest it may actually tell us more about a person's overall health than researchers previously believed.

Confirmed: AI software from Heartflow flags high-risk coronary plaques for cardiologists

Researchers tracked data from nearly 8,000 patients evaluated with Heartflow's FDA-cleared Plaque Analysis software. Overall, the technology's Plaque Staging feature was found to provide significant value during the diagnosis and management of these patients.

Carlos Collet, MD, PhD, director, cardiovascular imaging, physiology and translational therapeutics, Cardiovascular Research Foundation, explains how noninvasive coronary CT angiography (CCTA) assessments will play a major role to eliminate invasive diagnostic angiography and to pre-plan percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures.

CCTA will play an essential role in the cath labs of the future

Noninvasive coronary CT angiography is growing more and more important as time goes on, helping cardiologists make critical treatment decisions. Carlos Collet, MD, PhD, discussed the technique's potential to be a real game-changer for patient care in a new interview.