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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Radiologists should watch for these 3 pulmonary findings linked to increased COVID mortality

Experts looked beyond common pulmonary consolidations, finding a handful of accurate indicators of in-hospital mortality.

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CAD-RADS a ‘big step in the right direction’ toward improving outcomes for acute chest pain

Korean researchers tested the Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System in nearly 1,500 patients treated across four hospital emergency departments.

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Chest CT, perfusion imaging spots pulmonary embolism in 25% of hospitalized COVID patients

Men and smokers were particularly prone to this condition, which, if left untreated, carries an up to 30% mortality rate.

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Radiologists utilize novel CAD-RADS in 95% of coronary CTA reports

Massachusetts General Hospital doctors analyzed Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System usage in their high-volume cardiac CT services center for the study.

chest pain lung pulmonary embolism

New pulmonary embolism approach could substantially reduce imaging overuse

The pretest probability score produced false-negative rates below 1% and dropped imaging use by about 20%, according to a new JAMA Cardiology study. 

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Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography shares new CCTA guidance

The guidance, published in full in the Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, includes updates to previous CCTA recommendations and was designed to answer common questions.

Cigna

Cigna stops requiring prior authorization for certain CT imaging exams

Imaging advocates praised the policy change, which took effect on Monday, Feb. 1. 

chest pain lung pulmonary embolism

CCTA is a safe, effective alternative to SPECT in patients with stable chest pain

The findings come by way of the RESCUE Trial, which included more than 1,000 participants from 44 different sites.