Computed Tomography

Computed tomography (CT) is a fast and accurate imaging modality often used in emergency settings and trauma imaging. CT scans, with or without (or both) iodinated contrast are frequently used to image the brain, chest, abdomen and pelvis, but also have post-imaging reconstructive capabilities for detailed orthopedic imaging. It is now a standard imaging modality in emergency rooms to quickly assess patients. CT uses a series of X-ray images shot as the gantry rotates around the patient. Computer technology assembles these into into a dataset volume than can be slices on any access, or advanced visualization software can extract specific parts of the anatomy for study. Find more content specific to cardiac CT.

Ron Blankstein, MD, Brigham and Womens Hospital, explains a study using AI opportunistic screening in non-cardiac CT scans looking for coronary artery disease.

Use of AI opportunistic screening in CT for cardiovascular disease

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

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How a Federally Qualified Health Center quashed common barriers to lung cancer screening

Experts created new lung cancer screening pathways within CommUnityCare Health Centers—a large, diverse FQHC system in Central Texas.

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ACR concerned pay cap on CT-based colon cancer screening could make service ‘untenable’

Medicare wants to limit the technical component for the exam to the HOPPS rate, which would represent an 81% reduction to the MPFS amount of $459.92. 

Time running out to comment on higher cardiac CT payments

Imaging experts have said the move could reshape the financial landscape for hospitals offering Cardiac CT services.

Radiologist-hospitalist collaboration could boost lung cancer screening rates

About 12% of the U.S. population, or 35 million individuals, are hospitalized each year, with caregivers collecting critical information that could facilitate imaging. 

Ron Blankstein, MD, FACC, FASNC, MSCCT, FASPC, associate director, cardiovascular imaging program, director, cardiac computed tomography, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a professor of medicine and radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains why Medicare is proposing increased coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) payments to hospitals.

Higher payments for CCTA could bring considerable change to cardiology

Ron Blankstein, MD, explains how and why Medicare is proposing an increase to hospital payments for coronary CT angiography.

An Illinois appellate judge upheld a pervious trial victory that cleared and central Illinois cardiologist Amit Dande, MD, and Prairie Cardiovascular Consults LLP of alleged misdiagnosis of the severity of a patient's heart condition that led to his death prior to a schedule percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Radiologist faces blame after ‘inadequate’ CT report overlooks deadly bowel cancer case

The controversy dates to 2018, when a woman underwent a CT scan for abdominal pain and a rad overlooked bowel cancer on the images. 

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Clinical decision support significantly reduces volume of CT pulmonary angiogram requests

That’s according to a new analysis from Boston-based researchers, published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology

Around the web

After reviewing years of data from its clinic, one institution discovered that issues with implant data integrity frequently put patients at risk. 

Prior to the final proposal’s release, the American College of Radiology reached out to CMS to offer its recommendations on payment rates for five out of the six the new codes.

“Before these CPT codes there was no real acknowledgment of the additional burden borne by the providers who accepted these patients."

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