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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Video interview with Allen Taylor, MD, chairman of cardiology at Medstar, who explains use of AI CCTA plaque analysis at Medstar to improve risk assessments.

AI software takes cardiac risk assessments to another level

Allen Taylor, MD, thinks AI-powered plaque evaluations can make a substantial impact on patient care. 

stock market IPO

Heartflow, a leader in AI-powered imaging evaluations, files for IPO

Heartflow, known for its AI-based CCTA evaluations, appears to be going public. The news follows years of momentum for the California-based company, including improved Medicare reimbursements for cardiac CT and a new Category I CPT code for its Plaque Analysis software.

New data highlight how Heartflow's AI software drives major shifts in heart care

One of the study's most significant findings was that patients managed using the advanced AI software saw LDL cholesterol drops of 18.7 mg/dL, with a 15% reduction in their risk of a cardiac event. Even patients with no calcified plaque saw significant changes in care management.

HeartFlow Plaque Analysis Example

AI-enabled coronary plaque evaluations included in new RBM guidelines

The use of advanced AI software to assess CCTA images continues to gain more momentum.

An example of artificial intelligence automated coronary artery calcium scoring shown by Coreline at ACC23. The AI also identifies and color codes the anatomy so help show the reviewing radiologist or cardiac imager what and where things were calculated. #ACC #ACC23

Cardiology still No. 2 in FDA-cleared clinical AI algorithms, trailing only radiology

Cardiology continues to be one of the most influential healthcare specialties when it comes to utilizing artificial intelligence. 

CT imaging showing structural valve deterioration

Cardiologists, radiologists and surgeons share ‘landmark’ document on assessing prosthetic heart valves with CT

RSNA and several other industry societies have shared a new expert consensus document on the significant value of cardiac CT. Echo remains an effective first-line imaging option, the groups wrote, but CT can make a big impact as well. 

Dana Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, chief executive officer of the American College of Radiology, explains an American Medical Association (AMA) resolution ACR is supporting to expand low-dose CT lung cancer screenings and coronary calcium scoring.

AMA resolution backs expanded low-dose CT screenings for lung cancer, heart risk

Dana Smetherman, MD, CEO of the American College of Radiology, discusses the policy, which urges for more robust promotion of low-dose CT as a public health tool. 

artificial intelligence heart AI

AI model gets helpful heart assessments out of nongated CT scans

"Using AI for tasks like CAC detection can help shift medicine from a reactive approach to the proactive prevention of disease," one researcher said.

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