Information from the Hologic Discovery Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) system can now be used as a predictor of coronary heart disease, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease. The new indication, visualization of Abdominal Aortic Calcification (AAC), targets heart disease and stroke.
Discovery measures the two primary diagnostic indicators of osteoporosis — bone mineral density and vertebral fractures. Doctors can now use the information from a standard low dose, 10-second Instant Vertebral Assessment (IVA) osteoporosis test, to visualize the presence of AAC, which is associated with cardiovascular disease.