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.

CT has been used for planning and procedural guidance in pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for about 20 years. It shows the anatomy to the electrophysiologist. The EPs also can load the imaging into their EP mapping system. It also shows them the location of the esophagus and the phrenic nerve so they can avoid these during the procedures. #PVI #EPeeps

VIDEO: The expanding role of cardiac CT in electrophysiology

Harold Litt, MD, division chief of cardiothoracic imaging and director of the Center for Advanced CT Imaging Sciences at the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, explains the role of cardiac CT in EP procedures.

New recommendations highlight the importance of CCTA when treating acute chest pain in the ED

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography developed and published the new document to help educate healthcare providers who regularly treat acute chest pain in the emergency department. 

CT imaging showing the congenital heart defect of left heart hypoplastic syndrome.

VIDEO: Congenital heart imaging with cardiac CT

As the population of patients with adult congenital heart disease grows, they are presenting to adult cardiology clinics and being imaged with CT. Many also do not have access or cannot be imaged by MRI, said Renee Bullock-Palmer, MD.

New recommendations for cardiac CT in cardio-oncology imaging

The statement was written to fill gaps in recommendations from prior consensus statements and guidelines in regards to the use of CCT in cardio-oncology, including use of calcium scoring and ruling out coronary disease when cardiac function is impaired.

Cardiac CT comparable to invasive angiography when assessing stable chest pain, new meta-analysis confirms

Researchers examined data from nearly 5,400 patients, tracking such outcomes as myocardial infarction, stroke and all-cause mortality. 

Examples of structural heart transcatheter valve replacement procedure planning CT scans and post procedure followup for TMVR and TAVR.

VIDEO: CT imaging for TAVR and TMVR structural heart interventions

Joao Cavalcante, MD, director, cardiac MRI and structural CT labs, Minneapolis Heart Institute, discusses the use of cardiac CT imaging to plan and guide structural heart procedures. 

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Cardiologist compensation hits $622K, up 32% from 10 years ago

According to a new analysis from MedAxiom, an American College of Cardiology company, cardiologist compensation has nearly returned to where it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. The detailed report also examined new patient visits, cardiac imaging utilization and much more. 

VIDEO: Gender differences in women with cardiovascular disease and implications for imagers

Erin D. Michos, MD, co-editor in chief of the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology, discusses gender differences in heart disease presentations.

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