Image Gallery From the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography 2019 Meeting

This is an unusual case of a CT scan transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) pre-planning exam, where the patient has an aortic arch aneurism and a kink in the aorta. This was a demonstration case shown by GE Healthcare for its automated TAVR planning software, which automates key measurements needed for valve sizing and assessment of the transcatheter access routes.

A hand-on training course at SCCT on how to use transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) planning software to extract measurements needed in a pre-procedure CT evaluation.

Example of how spectral CT imaging can be used to quickly identify dark areas of low or no perfusion in the lungs from pulmonary embolism based on an iodine map. This was shown by Philips Healthcare from their IQon spectral CT scanner.

An example of a cardiac computed tomography (CT) exam showing a Medtronic CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) device implanted. The image was reconstructed using Canon Medical’s Global Illumination photo-realistic rendering advanced visualization post-processing software. Vendors who offer this realistic type of CT image rendering say it is not used for diagnostics. However, the technology can be helpful when explaining things to the patient and their family, educating physicians and staff, and for surgeons, since it offers a realistic view of the anatomy that is easier for most people to understand who are not familiar with cardiac anatomy as it appears in traditional CT multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images.

Example of how the photon-counting CT detector being developed by Siemens can improve the resolution of a coronary stent.

The GE healthcare Cardiographe is a compact CT scanner designed for office or small space installation. It is a dedicated cardiac CT scanner.

Vendors are developing new AI algorithms to reconstruct CT images better than conventional iterative or model-based reconstruction methods. Both Canon Medical Systems and GE Healthcare showed examples of their deep-learning CT image reconstruction software, both of which gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance in the spring of 2019. This example is Canon Medical Systems’ AiCE deep learning reconstruction (DLR) software for the Precision CT system. The technology uses 10 convolutional neuro network (CNN) algorithms with different kernel sizes to reconstruct the images.

The new Siemens Somatom Go.top cardiovascular edition compact Computed tomography (CT) scanner on display at the Society Of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) meeting today. It is aimed at cardiology office based imaging and was released this past spring at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting. The system has removable tablets on each side of the scanner where the tech can adjust the machine, review scout scans and trigger the scanner. The idea is to improve workflow and allow the tech to remain at the bedside longer to be with the patient, rather tucked away in a remote control room using an intercom.

Ron Jacob, M.D., director of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, Lancaster General Hospital/PENN Medicine, and DAIC Editor Dave Fornell. He spoke at SCCTa=on advances in CT imaging. He speaks in more detail in the SCCT WEBINAR: Myocardial CT Perfusion: A Comprehensive Appraisal of Patient Selection and Technique in a Multimodality Imaging Environment

The best cardiology related tie seen at the conference was worn by former ACC president Kim Allan Williams, Sr., M.D., chief of the Division of Cardiology and the James B. Herrick Professor at Rush University Medical Center. Here is a VIDEO with Williams on why he adopted a vegetarian diet for his cardiac health.

DAIC Editor Dave Fornell with Arthur Agatston, M.D., who was the lead author on the first paper proposing use of CT scans of calcium to rist stratify patients for heart attacks. Since the study had hist name first, the risk assessment has since been named the "Agatston Score." Watch an interview with him in the VIDEO: The History of CT Calcium Scoring.

Andrew Choi, M.D., FACC, FSCCT, co-director, cardiac CT and MRI, assistant professor of medicine and radiology, George Washington University, explains the role of social media is extending the reach of cardiovascular research from peer review journals. He spoke on this topic in multiple sessions. Watch his VIDEO: Use of Social Media For Cardiology Education.

Example of a CT coronary artery exam with a curved multiplaner image of a vessel reconstructed into a straight line for easier review. This was shown by Siemens.

DAIC Editor Dave Fornell and Daniel Berman, M.D., FACC, chief of cardiac imaging and nuclear cardiology and professor of imaging, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Here is an interview with Berman VIDEO: The Value of the Cardiovascular Service Line.

A CT evaluation of a TAVR valve from a Siemens Force CT system.

SCCT President Ron Blankstein, M.D., director of cardiac computed tomography, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and associate professor of medicine and radiology, Harvard Medical School, gave a great overview of what was new at SCCT 2019 in the VIDEO: Overview of Cardiac CT Trends and 2019 SCCT Meeting Highlights

An example of Siemens' photo-realistic Cinematic image reconstruction. This is from a Siemens Force CT exam.

SCCT hosted a few seminars on how to use social media to share good information that would be useful to others who are overwhelmed by the mass of regular studies and journal articles. Speakers said social media can be thought of a large, community journal club for cardiology.

Trying to do their best Dr. Evil and Minnie Me impressions from the Austin Powers movies are (right) Todd Villines, MD, professor of medicine and clinical cardiologist and researcher, University of Virginia, and former president of the Society Of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), and DAIC Editor Dave Fornell. Hear what Villines’ sees as the top trends cardiac CT in this more serious VIDEO

DAIC Editor Dave Fornell with Stephan Achenbach, M.D., FSCCT, chairman of cardiology and a professor of medicine at the University of Erlangen, Germany. Receive the inaugural 2019 Stephan Achenbach Pioneer Award in Cardiovascular CT at SCCT 2019 for his landmark contributions by demonstrating a commitment to clinical excellence, research and education to the field of cardiovascular CT. Read more in this article.

This is an example of how the newer CT scanner technologies can help improve image quality even in difficult to image patients. This example shows a very obese patient with a BMI of 68 scanned on a Philips IQon spectral CT scanner. The system used a combination of iterative and model based image reconstruction and spectral imaging to enable diagnostic quality imaging.

Claudio Smuclovisky, M.D., FACC, FSCCT, director of South Florida Imaging Cardiovascular Institute, Holy Cross Hospital, with DAIC Editor Dave Fornell at SCCT 2019. He spoke on how he uses Twitter to share interesting CT cases with doctors in the U.S. and internationally, who do not have access to a lot of educational seminars. Smuclovisky explains what imaging departments need to know about advances in computed tomography (CT) systems when purchasing the newest generation of CT scanners in the VIDEO: What to Consider When Comparing 64-slice to Higher Slice CT Systems

An example of GE Healthcare's software automation, which auto identifies, labels, extracts into a 3-D model and center lines all the coronary vessels.

DAIC Editor Dave Fornell with Arthur Agatston, M.D., who was the lead author on the first paper proposing use of CT scans of calcium to rist stratify patients for heart attacks. Since the study had hist name first, the risk assessment has since been named the "Agatston Score." Watch an interview with him in the VIDEO: The History of CT Calcium Scoring

An example of GE Healthcare's TAVR software automation, showing a quick measurement line and the system automatically showing the distance.

Examples of Canon's computed tomography (CT) Global Illumination photo-realistic rendering advanced visualization software.

Patricia Dickson, LRT(CT), director of imaging and outpatient services, Capital Cardiology Associates, Albany, N.Y., caught up with DAIC Editor Dave Fornell at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2019 meeting. She is among the faculty for the tech and nurse sessions at SCCT each year. She shares ideas in the VIDEO: Tips and Tricks to Aid Cardiac CT Technologist Workflow

An example of CT perfusion imaging shown by Canon Medical Systems on the expo floor at SCCT 2019. All advanced visualization and CT vendors now offer a version of this technology, which maps the density of iodine contrast to show areas of low or no blood flow in the myocardium. This can be used to identify areas of ischemia to help locate culprit lesions, or areas of infarct from a heart attack.

Kavitha Chinnaiyan, M.D., FACC, FSCCT, associate professor, Oakland University, William Beaumont School of Medicine, with DAIC Editor Dave Fornell at SCCT 2019. She spoke on use of FFR-CT at her hospital and offered an overview in the VIDEO: Using FFR-CT in Everyday Practice

A new way radiology services will likely be offered in the future was demonstrated by the new company Innovation Health Service. It was started by SCCT member Mohit Bhasin, MD, FSCCT. It allows doctors to sign into an app on their phones when they are not busy to be able to read imaging studies and file radiology reports remotely for hospitals around the country that need extra help or subspecialty reader experts. This booth has a group of interested cardiologists and radiologists each time I walked by.

A new way radiology services will likely be offered in the future was demonstrated by the new company Innovation Health Service. It was started by SCCT member Mohit Bhasin, MD, FSCCT. It allows doctors to sign into an app on their phones when they are not busy to be able to read imaging studies and file radiology reports remotely for hospitals around the country that need extra help or subspecialty reader experts. This booth has a group of interested cardiologists and radiologists each time I walked by.

A hand-on training course at SCCT on how to use transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) planning software to extract measurements needed in a pre-procedure CT evaluation.

Quynh Truong, M.D., MPH, associate professor of radiology and medicine at Weill Cornell and director of cardiac CT, NewYork Presbyterian Hospital, with DAIC editor Dave Fornell. She offered a great session how to improve cardia CT images and outlined them in the VIDEO: 10 Tips to Improve Cardiac CT Imaging

DAIC editor Dave Fornell at SCCT 2019.