Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT)

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) focuses on the advancement and expansion of cardiac CT. The society serves a membership split about evenly between radiologists and cardiologists. SCCT hosts educational events, advocates for CCTA for reimbursement and helps set guidelines for cardiac imaging. The news, videos and content on this page are created by our Innovate Healthcare editorial team and focus on the clinical, operational and financial aspects of cardiac CT.

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.
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.
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.
‘A defining moment’: How cardiologists can get the most out of CT-guided PCI
SCAI and SCCT have collaborated on a new document designed to get more interventional cardiologists to embrace CT-guided PCI going forward.
Cardiology groups urge Congress to ‘take a stand’ after spending proposal fails to fix Medicare cuts
A new spending proposal that would extend government funding for another seven months does not address the Medicare payment cut that went into effect on Jan. 1. More than 100 healthcare groups, including the ACC, STS, SCCT and SCAI, are now voicing their disappointment.

Cardiac CT now in the spotlight thanks to chest pain guidelines

With the elevation of cardiac CT to a 1A indication in the 2021 Chest Pain Guidelines, there has been a large amount of interest in starting coronary artery CT angiography (CCTA) programs.

VIDEO: 3 challenges for Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography members in 2023

Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) President Brian Ghoshhajra, MD, detailed three challenges he is making to SCCT members in the coming year.

How to get paid, reimbursed, for cardiac CT, CTA CCTA. #SCCT #SCCT2022

VIDEO: How imagers get reimbursed for coronary CTA

Ahmad M. Slim, MD, associate professor of medicine with the University of Washington and regional chief medical officer with the Pulse Heart Institute, explained how imagers get paid for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) exams.

Ron Blankstein, MD, MSCCT, associate director, cardiovascular imaging program, director, cardiac computed tomography, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, was a co-author on the ACC 2021 Chest Pain Guidelines,[1] which now lists coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA or CTA) as a 1A level recommendation for front line imaging. He gave an overview of the guidelines during the 2022 Society of Cardiovascular CT (SCCT) meeting in July. #SCCT2022

VIDEO: The role of cardiac CT in the 2021 chest pain guidelines

Ron Blankstein, MD, associate director of the cardiovascular imaging program and director of the cardiac computed tomography program for Brigham and Women's Hospital, was a co-author on the ACC 2021 Chest Pain Guidelines, which now lists coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA or CTA) as a 1A level recommendation for frontline imaging.

CT coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring, also known as the Agatston score, to assess the risk a patient has for future heart attacks and help decide if a patient requires statins.

VIDEO: Current guidelines for the use of CT calcium scoring in preventive cardiology

Mike Shapiro, DO, MD, director of the Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease at Wake Forest University, discusses the current guidelines for computed tomography (CT) calcium scoring as a screening test to assess heart attack risk.

AI cardiology Cleerly soft plaque assessments

Cardiology startup raises $192M for AI-powered imaging assessments

The company has now raised $248M in total to help develop, commercialize and market its FDA-cleared technology.

Examples of new cardiac CT technologies at the 2022 SCCT meeting. Top left clockwise, realistic 3D rendering inside the heart, the GE Revolution Apex scanner, Cleerly's AI automated soft plaque assessment, and CT strain imaging from Medis. #SCCT #SCCT2022 #YesCCT #CTA #CCTA, new computed tomography technology

PHOTO GALLERY: Cardiac CT advances at SCCT 2022

View a variety of images from the 2022 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) meeting in Las Vegas.

Example of a patient's coronary tree extracted from a cardiac CT scan. CT allows very detailed anatomical imaging and now physiological and plaque information that can be useful in pre-planning interventional procedures. Imaging from the GE Revolution Apex system at SCCT 2022.

VIDEO: CT imaging to plan coronary interventions — Interview with Jonathon Leipsic, MD

Jonathon Leipsic, MD, chairman of the Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, explains how noninvasive computed tomography angiography (CTA) can be used to aid in planning interventional cardiology procedures for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and chronic total occlusions (CTO).

Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT)

Reimbursement for AI-based plaque assessments is improving

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

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

‘A defining moment’: How cardiologists can get the most out of CT-guided PCI

Cardiology groups urge Congress to ‘take a stand’ after spending proposal fails to fix Medicare cuts