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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Ed Nicol, MD, consultant cardiologist and honorary senior clinical lecturer with Kings College London and president-elect of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), explained artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac CT is here to stay and its use is expanding. He noted that one AI-based algorithm is already included in recent cardiology guidelines and more will likely follow. #SCCT

Cardiac imagers need to understand AI as it enters clinical use and ACC guidelines

Most FDA-cleared AI algorithms are related to radiology and cardiology, meaning radiologists and cardiologists need to make an effort to learn how these technologies work.

A CT coronary calcium scoring exam at Northwestern Medicine's Central DuPage Hospital in the Chicago Suburbs. Dave Fornell

The remaining gaps in evidence for cardiac CT

While the ACC/AHA 2021 Chest Pain Assessment Guidelines included cardiac CT angiography as a top level recommendation, gaps in evidence still need to be filled.

Increased use of CCTA improves CAD outcomes without raising costs

Researchers examined data from nearly 2 million patients, sharing their full findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

‘Revolutionary’ new CT scans identify the most common cause of high blood pressure

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is one the single most common causes of hypertension, but identifying patients with PA—and knowing which ones may benefit from a surgical treatment—can be quite challenging.

An example of virtual pulmonary valve implant planning software showing a virtual transcatheter pulmonary valve with measurements implnated in the virtual anatomy of a congenital heart patient. This was part of a training class at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2022 meeting.

FDA makes clearance easier for cardiac device implant simulation software

The FDA is reclassifying interventional cardiovascular implant simulation software into the class II (special controls) regulatory category, which will make it easier for the technology to pass regulatory approval. 

Juan Granada discusses new cardiac technology AHA22.

VIDEO: 2 key technologies to rapidly advance cardiovascular care

Juan Granada, MD, president and CEO of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), shares his thoughts on two key areas of technology advancements in cardiovascular imaging and neuro-interventional care for stroke.

Anteris Technologies duravr heart valve

Regulatory Roundup: Updates on Medtronic and LivaNova recalls, FDA-cleared AI models, a new heart valve and more

Read our recap of some of the biggest FDA-related stories that impacted cardiology in the last month.

James Udelson, MD, from Tufts and an investiogator in the PRECISE trial, explains how FFR-CT combined with coronary CT outperformed the standard of care in patients with stable chest pain, or low-risk patients with suspected coronary involvement.

VIDEO: PRECISE trial shows cardiac CT with FFR-CT significantly improves patient outcomes

James Udelson, MD, an investigator involved with the PRECISE trial, explained how patient outcomes were improved by 70% from the current standard of care.

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