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.

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.
Cardiology, radiology groups urge insurance provider to rethink imaging policy
SCAI and four other major healthcare organizations signed a joint letter in support of intravascular ultrasound.
Radiology AI company gains FDA clearance for new CT offerings focused on PE, stroke
The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.
SPECT still has an important role to play in nuclear cardiology
"I see, at least for the next decade, this being a SPECT and PET world, not one or the other," explained Tim Bateman, MD.

VIDEO: Example of photo-counting cardiac CT with calcified coronaries

Siemens Healthineers showed examples at ACC 2022 of cardiac computed tomography (CT) from its new Naeotom Alpha photon-counting CT scanner cleared by the FDA in 2021.

May 4, 2022

The GE healthcare vScan Air was one of several point of care ultrasound (POCUS) systems on display at the ACC 2022 meeting.

VIDEO: Point-of-care ultrasound systems at ACC 2022

There were several point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) systems on display by vendors at ACC 2022. Here are two of them.

May 4, 2022

Study urges radiologists to report CAC findings on all chest CTs, regardless of clinical indication

Although current guidelines recommend radiologists evaluate CAC on all non-gated, non-contrast chest CT scans, the authors of the study note that these guidelines are not consistently followed.

May 2, 2022

Statin reduces risk for non-obstructive CAD patients but no significant risk reduction for aspirin

The results of a study published in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging call into question the value of initiating aspirin therapy in certain instances.

April 29, 2022

Heartflow FFR-CT allows noninvasive assessment of a patient'c coronary arteries without the need for a diagnostic angiogram.

VIDEO: HeartFlow FFR-CT sees increased interest after inclusion in the 2021 Chest Pain Guidelines

HeartFlow’s non-invasive cardiac computed tomography derived fractional flow reserve (FFR-CT) technology enables FFR values for the entire coronary tree of a patient using just a CT scan. This can show the significance of any coronary plaque lesions and if a patient needs to be sent to the cath lab for revascularization, or if they can be treated medically.

April 28, 2022

Radiology imaging of two wounded civilians with bullet and shrapnel embedded in tissue. Left is a digital X-ray of a patient with shrapnel in the chest and a bullet in the leg who was brought to the National Children's Specialized Hospital in Kyiv. Right, a 3D CT scan reconstruction of a bullet in the chest of a 40-year-old father who as attempting to evaculate his wife and child from the Russian advance near Kyiv when the Russians opened fire on him. Image from the Ukraine Heart Institute in Kyiv.

Radiologists in Ukraine helping the war effort as Russia continues to attack

Many radiologists stepped up to do their part for the war effort by staying at their hospital posts and helping the wounded as they started coming in.

April 22, 2022

A figure from the 2022 CAD non-invasive imaging guidelines showing a comparison of computed tomography angiography (CTA) and a SPECT-CT vs. an invasive angiogram from the cath lab showing the same blockage in a coronary artery.

New multi-society recommendations highlight role of non-invasive imaging in evaluating coronary artery disease

A new, multi-society document, "Non-Invasive Imaging in Coronary Syndromes," focuses on how multiple imaging techniques can evaluate different aspects of coronary artery disease (CAD), all without the need for invasive angiograms.

April 21, 2022

Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) is an accurate, noninvasive imaging test that should be a first-line tool when treating patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), rather than cath lab angiography angiograms, according to new findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine.[1]

Why cardiologists and radiologists are choosing cardiac CT over invasive angiography for suspected CAD

"A CT-first strategy allows physicians to provide relevant findings without the need for an invasive procedure," one radiologist explained.

April 20, 2022

Around the web

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.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology, radiology groups urge insurance provider to rethink imaging policy

SCAI and four other major healthcare organizations signed a joint letter in support of intravascular ultrasound.

Cardiovascular Business

Radiology AI company gains FDA clearance for new CT offerings focused on PE, stroke

The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.

Cardiac Imaging

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

Cardiology, radiology groups urge insurance provider to rethink imaging policy

Radiology AI company gains FDA clearance for new CT offerings focused on PE, stroke

SPECT still has an important role to play in nuclear cardiology

Around the web