CT-based imaging on the rise in ischemic stroke patients

Kim Carollo | | Cardiovascular Business | Vascular & Endovascular

The use of CT angiogram (CTA) and CT perfusion (CTP) increased considerably among patients with acute ischemic stroke between 2006 and 2010, a study published online Feb. 25 in Stroke found.

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center reviewed data from the Premier Perspective Database, which includes information on hospitalizations related to ischemic stroke. They identified what factors predicted imaging studies and reperfusion.

CTA increased each year during the specified time period, from 3.8 percent in 2006 to 9.1 percent in 2010. CTP also increased, from 0.05 percent in 2006 to 2.9 percent in 2010. CTA and CTP were also associated with more reperfusion treatment compared with head CTs alone (13 percent and 17.6 percent, respectively, compared with 4 percent). CTA and CTP were also associated with higher rates of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator compared with CT alone (10.2 percent and 11.4 percent, respectively, vs. 3.8 percent). Mechanical embolectomy was also more frequent with CTA (2.8 percent) and CTP (6.3 percent) compared with CT alone (0.2 percent).

Based on their findings, the authors stressed the need for clinical trials involving CT-based multimodal imaging selection.

“Given limited healthcare resources, the well-publicized risks of increased radiation, along with limited evidence for clinical benefit of this approach, it becomes imperative that CT-based multimodal imaging selection for acute ischemic strokes be studied in controlled clinical trials,” they wrote.

Kim Carollo,

Contributor

Related Content

IVUS-guided PCI reduces risks in patients with diabetes
LAAC with Watchman FLX reduces bleeding risks after AFib ablation
Bioresorbable BTK stent superior to ballon angioplasty at 2 years
Shockwave Medical’s IVL technology delivers more positive outcomes for PAD patients
Standing desks fail to lower blood pressure or minimize heart risks—they may even do damage
IVL vs. RA for chronic total occlusion PCI: Key data cardiologists should know

Around the web

Health Imaging
Use of AI opportunistic screening in CT for cardiovascular disease

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Health Imaging
New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Radiology Business
What does radiology have to do with climate change?

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."