We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




Advanced CT Test Simulates Blood Flow to Assess Risk in Patients with Angina

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 13 Sep 2023
Print article
Image: CT-FFR provides blood-flow estimate similar to invasive heart catheterization (Photo courtesy of 123RF)
Image: CT-FFR provides blood-flow estimate similar to invasive heart catheterization (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Coronary artery calcium is considered as a surrogate marker for total coronary plaque, a fatty buildup in the arteries that can result in a heart attack in the future. A calcium score above 400 is a warning sign of high plaque levels. Non-contrast enhanced cardiac CT is typically performed prior to CT angiography to determine the amount of coronary artery calcium. However, high calcium content can interfere with CT images, making them tough to evaluate. While CT angiography helps identify coronary artery disease, it does not reveal how this condition impacts blood flow. Disrupted blood flow can create abnormal pressure, making these plaques more likely to break open. Now, an advanced CT test can identify individuals with stable angina who are at a reduced risk for negative outcomes over three years, even if their calcium scores are high.

In a prospective study, researchers from the University Hospital of Southern Denmark (Esbjerg, Denmark) looked at the three-year clinical results of patients who went through CT angiography and another specialized scan known as CT angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR). This advanced test combines CT images, AI algorithms, and fluid dynamics calculations to mimic the blood flow in the coronary arteries. The study involved patients newly diagnosed with stable coronary artery disease, who were part of the ADVANCE clinical trial conducted between December 2015 and October 2017 across three locations in Denmark. To be part of this study, patients needed to have at least one coronary artery narrowed by more than 30% and must not have had a history of irregular heartbeats or previous procedures to improve heart blood flow.

Out of 900 participants, 523 had normal CT-FFR results (average age 64, 318 males) and 377 showed abnormal CT-FFR findings (average age 65, 264 males). The three-year adverse outcome rate, which includes death from any cause and non-fatal heart attacks, was just 2.1% (11 out of 523) in the normal CT-FFR group. On the other hand, this rate was 6.6% (25 out of 377) in the abnormal CT-FFR group. Interestingly, those with a high calcium score but normal CT-FFR results had a 2.2% (4 out of 182) adverse outcome rate over three years. The rate soared to 9% (19 out of 212) for those with both high calcium scores and abnormal CT-FFR results. According to the team, while there are various methods to study the effects of coronary artery disease on blood flow, CT-FFR stands out for its high diagnostic accuracy. It aligns well with fractional flow reserve, a more invasive measurement method. The researchers believe that CT-FFR could help doctors categorize patients by risk level and focus on improving the outlook for those at higher risk.

“Our study provides evidence for the prognostic potential of CT-FFR in patients with high coronary artery calcium scores,” said lead researcher Kristian T. Madsen, M.D. “Regardless of the patient’s baseline risk and extent of coronary artery disease measured by coronary artery calcium, if CT-FFR results are normal, the prognosis is good.”

“In my opinion, CT-FFR is the best option because it provides a blood-flow estimate similar to what you would obtain if you performed invasive heart catheterization. You get a reliable and quick answer without performing additional tests or putting the patient through an invasive procedure,” added Madsen. “CT-FFR provides diagnostic and prognostic information beyond what can be obtained from CT angiography alone across a wide range of coronary artery calcium levels. It’s a tool that offers a lot of exciting prospects for the future.”

Related Links:
University Hospital of Southern Denmark 

New
Gold Member
X-Ray QA Meter
T3 AD Pro
New
Ultrasound Table
General 3-Section Top EA Ultrasound Table
New
MRI System
Ingenia Prodiva 1.5T CS
New
Digital Radiography System
DigiEye 330

Print article

Channels

MRI

view channel
Image: MRI microscopy of mouse and human pancreas with respective histology demonstrating ability of DTI maps to identify pre-malignant lesions (Photo courtesy of Bilreiro C, et al. Investigative Radiology, 2024)

Pioneering MRI Technique Detects Pre-Malignant Pancreatic Lesions for The First Time

Pancreatic cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities. When the disease is localized, the five-year survival rate is 44%, but once it has spread, the rate drops to around 3%.... Read more

Ultrasound

view channel
Image: A transparent ultrasound transducer-based photoacoustic-ultrasound fusion probe, along with images of a rat’s rectum and a pig’s esophagus (Photo courtesy of POSTECH)

Transparent Ultrasound Transducer for Photoacoustic and Ultrasound Endoscopy to Improve Diagnostic Accuracy

Endoscopic ultrasound is a commonly used tool in gastroenterology for cancer diagnosis; however, it provides limited contrast in soft tissues and only offers structural information, which reduces its diagnostic... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.