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.

ACC backs AMA resolution to boost lung cancer and heart disease screenings in smokers with low-dose CT scans
Former American College of Cardiology president Kim Allan Williams, Sr., MD, an ACC delegate to the American Medical Association House of Delegates, discusses an AMA resolution aimed at improving public awareness of low-dose CT lung cancer exams that can screen for coronary artery calcium at the same time.
A closer look at GE HealthCare's new affordable cardiac CT scanner
As cardiac CT continues to get used more and more, GE HealthCare has launched a new scanner designed to meet the needs of both outpatient imaging centers and larger hospitals.
Imaging for chest pain: CT- and ICA-first strategies linked to similar long-term health status
These findings present additional evidence that invasive imaging tests are not necessarily more effective when it comes to evaluating patients for chest pain.
CCTA shows colchicine's impact on atherosclerosis progression
Matthew Budoff, MD, detailed new data highlighting CCTA's value when it comes to tracking the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.
AI-enabled CCTA evaluations reduce use of invasive imaging exams
This two-year analysis of the FISH&CHIPS study found that using advanced AI from Heartflow to evaluate cardiac CT is safe, effective and limits the use of unnecessary follow-up tests.

COVID-19 linked to accelerated plaque growth, long-term risk of heart attack or stroke

These risks appear to be present regardless of a person's age or health at the time of infection.

Medical imaging trends to watch in 2025

The healthcare market analysis firm Signify Research released a list of predictions in radiology its analysts expect to see in 2025.

George Dangas, MD, 2023-24 president of SCAI, director of cardiovascular innovation at Mount Sinai Hospital, and director of the TCT meeting, explains key trends he sees in interventional cardiology.

New directions and trends in interventional cardiology

Interventional cardiology continues to evolve, driven by rapid advancements in technology. George Dangas, MD, discussed some of the specialty's biggest ongoing trends with Cardiovascular Business.

AI-powered heart assessments of NFL veterans could help cardiologists tackle CVD

Retired NFL players Joel Dreessen and Le-Lo Lang are among the first athletes participating in a new registry launched by HeartFlow and the Boone Heart Institute.

Aortic valve calcium scores help predict need for a permanent pacemaker after TAVR

RBBB remains the single strongest predictor for PPMI after TAVR, but high AV calcium scores still provide care teams with considerable value.

FDA has now cleared more than 1,000 AI models, including many in cardiology

Cardiology is the medical speciality with the second most FDA clearances overall.

Reimbursement update: What hospitals need to know about new Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS finalized a significant policy change when it increased the Medicare payments hospitals receive for performing CCTA exams. What, exactly, does the update mean for cardiologists, billing specialists and other hospital employees?

Top videos on the Cardiovascular Business website about new cardiovascular trends and technologies in 2024.

Around the web

Health Exec

Tom Price: Medical residency slots need to expand to combat physician shortages

Tom Price, MD, former secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), said one way to address the growing shortage of physicians is to expand medical resident positions, but these are tied to Medicare spending so alternative means may be needed.

Health Imaging

Tariffs will have a significant impact on the nuclear imaging supply chain in the US

"Domestic radiopharmaceutical suppliers, who receive isotopes from abroad, would be impacted by price changes and uncertainty caused by additional tariffs,” SNMMI President Cathy Cutler, PhD, wrote in a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce this week.

Computed Tomography

ACC backs AMA resolution to boost lung cancer and heart disease screenings in smokers with low-dose CT scans

A closer look at GE HealthCare's new affordable cardiac CT scanner

Imaging for chest pain: CT- and ICA-first strategies linked to similar long-term health status

CCTA shows colchicine's impact on atherosclerosis progression

AI-enabled CCTA evaluations reduce use of invasive imaging exams

Around the web