Cardiac Imaging

While cardiac ultrasound is the widely used imaging modality for heart assessments, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear imaging are also used and are often complimentary, each offering specific details about the heart other modalities cannot. For this reason the clinical question being asked often determines the imaging test that will be used.

AI helps cardiologists track new drug's effect on inflammation
The combination of AI and CT helped Nehal Mehta, MD, and colleagues track the performance of a new drug designed to target coronary inflammation.
AI improves CT assessments, boosts care for real-world heart patients
Automated AI-generated measurements combined with annotated CT images can improve treatment planning and help referring physicians and patients better understand their disease, explained Sarah Jane Rinehart, MD, director of cardiac imaging with Charleston Area Medical Center.
AI predicts cardiovascular risk during CT scans—no invasive tests or contrast required
Two advanced algorithms—one for CAC scores and another for segmenting cardiac chamber volumes—outperformed radiologists when assessing low-dose chest CT scans.
CT procedure shown to reduce need for invasive cardiac testing
In a study, CT-FFR was shown to reduce the need for invasive tests to measure coronary artery blockage from 74.5% to 25.5%.
First-in-human trial shows potential of guiding CABG with cardiac CT and AI—no ICA required
An independent heart team blinded to ICA results was able to deliver helpful guidance for CABG procedures for 99.1% of patients using just CCTA and FFR_CT alone. This approach is safe and feasible, researchers wrote, and the next step is to gather additional data.

Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) has evolved into a much more helpful resource than interventional cardiologists may have originally believed. In fact, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) emphasized in a new expert consensus statement that CCTA provides specialists with an effective tool in the preparation and optimization of coronary procedures. The 2021 chest pain guidelines elevated CTA to a class 1A recommendation. Harold Litt , MD, explains the use of CCTA in the ED.

CCTA a helpful tool for interventional cardiologists planning coronary procedures

A new consensus statement from the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography emphasized the increasing importance of CCTA among interventional cardiologists. It is no longer seen as “a mere diagnostic tool," the group observed.

August 30, 2022

Echocardiography shows smoking is even more damaging to the heart than previously believed

Compared to the individuals without a history of smoking, both current and former smokers had thicker, weaker and heavier hearts.

August 25, 2022

PET imaging uncovers a surprising new way COVID-19 affects the heart

A new study in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging focuses on a potential new side effect of COVID-19, highlighting the continued importance of monitoring these patients going forward.

August 18, 2022

Cardiac MRI reveals that even competitive athletes are subject to reduced cardiac function after COVID

Compared to healthy controls, the COVID group displayed significantly worse global and segmental circumferential systolic strain.

August 15, 2022

Vascular CT beyond the coronaries includes imaging for aortic aneurism, aortic dissection, SCAD and fibromuscular dysplasia. #SCCT #SCCT2022 #SCAD #yescct

VIDEO: Vascular imaging applications for CT beyond the heart

Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) President Brian Ghoshhajra, MD, explains the vascular imaging sessions at SCCT 2022 that went beyond the usual coronaries and structural heart evaluations.

August 12, 2022

Deep learning, subtraction technique ideal for evaluating stent re-stenosis on coronary CTA

Detecting in-stent restenosis via coronary CTA with hybrid iterative reconstruction has historically been an exercise in avoiding false positives.

August 10, 2022

COVID-19 medical imaging examples of various clinical presentations. SARS-CoV-2 clinical imaging presentations.

PHOTO GALLERY: What does COVID-19 look like on medical imaging?

This image gallery shows what the various clinical presentations associated with the COVID-19 virus that have been documented during the coronavirus pandemic.

August 9, 2022

Illustration of a left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedure using a Watchman device. Image courtesy of Johns Hopkins Medicine. #LAA #LAAO

Pre-procedure CT imaging benefits LAA occlusion in Henry Ford study

There is not agreement among the top structural heart experts if CT is required for left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), but a Henry Ford Hospital study shows it can improve outcomes.

August 5, 2022

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Cardiovascular Business

AI improves CT assessments, boosts care for real-world heart patients

Automated AI-generated measurements combined with annotated CT images can improve treatment planning and help referring physicians and patients better understand their disease, explained Sarah Jane Rinehart, MD, director of cardiac imaging with Charleston Area Medical Center.

Cardiovascular Business

AI predicts cardiovascular risk during CT scans—no invasive tests or contrast required

Two advanced algorithms—one for CAC scores and another for segmenting cardiac chamber volumes—outperformed radiologists when assessing low-dose chest CT scans.

Radiology Business

Google teams with Bayer to address radiologist burnout via AI

"Gen AI can help tackle repetitive tasks and provide insights into massive datasets, saving valuable time," Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, said Tuesday.

Cardiac Imaging

AI helps cardiologists track new drug's effect on inflammation

AI improves CT assessments, boosts care for real-world heart patients

AI predicts cardiovascular risk during CT scans—no invasive tests or contrast required

CT procedure shown to reduce need for invasive cardiac testing

First-in-human trial shows potential of guiding CABG with cardiac CT and AI—no ICA required

Around the web