Cardiac CT – How CCTA Prognostic Value Guides Medical and Interventional Therapy (2025)-WEB04-2025

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This RSNA-hosted webinar, sponsored by GE Healthcare, delved into the advancements in cardiac imaging, particularly focusing on cardiac CT angiography (CCT-A). Professor Gianluca Pontone, a renowned leader in cardiac imaging, discussed how CCT-A is evolving from being a diagnostic tool to a prognostic instrument, offering insights into plaque characteristics, coronary inflammation, and risk stratification, which can significantly guide medical and interventional therapy. Key topics included the Paradigm Consortium's findings on CT's sensitivity to atherosclerotic burden and its quantitative assessment capabilities. This quantitative approach aids in evaluating adverse plaque characteristics and the geometric and hemodynamic conditions that influence cardiovascular risk.<br /><br />Professor Pontone highlighted the integration of new technologies like machine learning-based risk prediction models and the application of FFR-CT in assessing coronary artery functionality without invasive procedures. Also, the role of novel CT tools was discussed in reshaping interventional planning and enhancing long-term disease management strategies. The webinar emphasized the importance of cardiac CT in guiding both pharmacological and procedural interventions in cardiology, ensuring personalized treatment plans based on comprehensive imaging data that include plaque imaging, fat composition, and vascular inflammation. <br /><br />Lastly, the session addressed how these developments might influence future reimbursement models, reflecting the shift toward more comprehensive, cost-effective cardiac care pathways.

Keywords

cardiac imaging

cardiac CT angiography

plaque characteristics

coronary inflammation

risk stratification

machine learning

FFR-CT

interventional planning

personalized treatment