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CT Technology: An Overview of the Latest Menu 

Emphasizing enhanced workflow efficiency for mammography exams, GE HealthCare will unveil the Pristina Via mammography platform at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conference.

In addition to offering zero-click acquisition to facilitate streamlined workflow, the 

 incorporates prior image comparison, irrespective of mammography vendor, to aid in mammography assessments, according to GE HealthCare.

The company adds that the Pristina Via system offers image to image cycle time for digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) that is up to twice as fast as other mammography platforms, as well as the lowest radiation dose for all breast thicknesses.

“Simplifying, automating, and streamlining the mammography exam to improve in-room workflows is critical to driving patient compliance and access to screening,” said John Simon, M.D., the CEO of SimonMed. “The enhancements offered by Pristina Via are part of our mission of making advanced technology accessible.”

The new mammography system reportedly offers features that promote workflow efficiency as well as patient comfort.

Topic

GE HealthCare Introduces Pristina Via Mammography System at RSNA

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to provide quantitative coronary tomography (AI-QCT) and coronary plaque analysis (AI-CPA) based on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) will soon be covered by four Medicare administrative contractors (MACs).

Starting on November 24, the MACs Palmetto GBA, National Government Services (NGS), CGS Administrators and WPS administrative groups will cover the use of AI-QCT and AI-CPA for Medicare beneficiaries with acute or stable chest pain, and no known coronary artery disease (CAD), according to a recently updated local coverage determination (LCD) issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The LCD noted coverage of AI tools will be provided for the testing of patients deemed to be at intermediate risk for CAD, or those classified by the Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) as having CAD-RADS 1, CAD-RADS 2 or CAD-RADS 3, based on CCTA findings. The coverage will also apply for those who have had negative or inconclusive evaluation for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), according to the LCD.

The use of the FDA-cleared AI modalities 

“Coronary artery disease is the underlying cause of about 50% of deaths,” noted Ron Blankstein, M.D., the director of cardiac computed tomography at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. “Medicare coverage of HeartFlow Plaque Analysis is a major step forward in improving coronary artery disease management. The earlier we can diagnose and use tools to provide accurate plaque quantification, the earlier we can provide tailored treatments, potentially improving outcomes for patients.”

“We are also extremely thankful to the many physicians and medical society partners who used their voices to advocate for this essential AI-QCT technology. Until Cleerly, health-care providers have not had a way to easily and completely assess the primary cause of heart attacks, atherosclerotic plaque burden and type in a non-invasive way, which is especially important for our senior population,” noted James L. Kim, M.D., the CEO and founder of Cleerly. “This decision by the MACs represents a significant step in advancing the field of cardiology and providing the best possible care for our seniors.”

(Editor’s note: For related content, see “

FDA Clears Software for Enhancing CCTA Assessment of Atherosclerosis

Coronary CT Angiography Study Shows Link Between Major Cardiovascular Events and High Lipid Core Burden

Meta-Analysis Shows Superiority of CT Angiography Over SPECT and Functional Testing for Obstructive CAD

1. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Artificial intelligence enabled CT based quantitative coronary topography (AI-QCT)/coronary plaque analysis (AI-CPA). Available at: 

https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdid=39851&ver=10

 . Published October 10, 2024. Accessed October 14, 2024.

2. Cleerly. Medicare administrative contractors approve coverage of Cleerly heart scans to Medicare recipients. Business Wire. Available at: 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241014694634/en/Medicare-Administrative-Contractors-Approve-Coverage-of-Cleerly-Heart-Scans-to-Medicare-Recipients

 . Published October 14, 2024. Accessed October 14, 2024.

3. HeartFlow. HeartFlow announces favorable coverage determination for plaque analysis by four Medicare administrative contractors. GlobeNewswire. Available at: 

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/11/2962144/0/en/HeartFlow-Announces-Favorable-Coverage-Determination-for-Plaque-Analysis-by-Four-Medicare-Administrative-Contractors.html

4. Elucid. Elucid announces favorable Medicare coverage of AI coronary plaque analysis. Business Wire. Available at: 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241015489543/en/Elucid-Announces-Favorable-Medicare-Coverage-of-AI-Coronary-Plaque-Analysis

 . Published October 15, 2024. Accessed October 15, 2024.

Four Medicare administrative contractors (MACs) will provide coverage of AI-enabled coronary plaque analysis and quantitative coronary tomography assessment of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for Medicare beneficiaries starting in November 2024.

Medicare to Cover AI-Powered, CCTA-Based Coronary Plaque Analysis and Quantitative Coronary Topography 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance for AngioFlow™, an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled perfusion imaging software that may facilitate more timely assessments of perfusion status prior to endovascular procedures.

Offering color-coded perfusion mapping that identifies regions with reduced cerebral blood flow and blood volume, 

 provides results within minutes of a cone-beam computed tomography (CT) scan, according to RapidAI, the manufacturer of AngioFlow.

In addition to potential cost savings by reducing redundant imaging, RaidAI emphasized that AngioFlow’s timely assessments may reduce long-term disability risks and facilitate life-saving interventions for patients in need of acute stroke care.

“AngioFlow by RapidAI will allow physicians to assess the need for additional imaging immediately in the interventional suite. By avoiding unnecessary scans, stroke patients can receive the timely care that can be the difference between being able to walk out of a hospital to their homes versus being discharged to a skilled nursing facility,” said Abhishek Singh, MD, DABPN, DUCNS, who is affiliated with the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska.

The company added that AngioFlow has been validated in more than 10 clinical trials.

Reportedly validated in more than 10 clinical trials, the AngioFlow perfusion imaging software enables timely identification of brain regions with cerebral blood flow reduction and those with significant hypoperfusion.

FDA Clears AI-Powered Qualitative Perfusion Mapping for Cone-Beam CT

Radiologists had the third highest intent to leave the profession (39 percent) among physician specialties, according to a recent American Medical Association (AMA) survey.

Chris Mattern, M.D., in a recent interview with 

, said a variety of trends in radiology may be contributing to these survey findings and increasing cases of burnout.

Foremost among these factors is the widening chasm between yearly double-digit increases in imaging utilization and a little more than one percent annual increases in the number of radiologists, according to Dr. Mattern.

“The math obviously doesn't work out and at some point, that elastic has stretched to the point of breaking, and we've been at or beyond that point now for a few years,” said Dr. Mattern, the associate chief medical officer for radiologist experience at Radiology Partners.

While there are increasing numbers of radiologists are working remotely, Dr. Mattern suggested there may be a growing disconnect with working in more of an isolated setting. Dr. Mattern said this may be a key factor contributing to early retirement for radiologists in their 50s and 60s.

The increased demand for radiologists has also led to higher compensation levels that may enable younger and mid-career radiologists seeking more of a work-life balance to opt for more of a part-time role.

“I think there's a lot of folks, again in that younger age group than we might have seen before, that are saying, well, there's a lot of need, and I can find various places I can work at a pretty part-time basis and still make a decent income doing that. That allows me to sort of retire from full-time (work) at a much earlier age,” noted Dr. Mattern, a neuroradiologist affiliated with Greensboro Radiology in Greensboro, N.C.

Burnout in Radiology: Key Risk Factors and Promising Solutions

Four Strategies to Address the Tipping Point in Radiology

Can Short-Term Measures Provide Some Relief with the Radiologist Shortage?

For more insights from Dr. Mattern, watch the video below.

In a recent interview, Chris Mattern, M.D., discussed a confluence of trends that may be contributing to burnout in radiology, early retirements and a shifting preference from full-time to part-time roles in radiology.

Emerging Trends with Burnout in Radiology: An Interview with Chris Mattern, MD, Part 1

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Patient presents for upper GI series with this finding... What is your diagnosis?


Image IQ Quiz: What's On This Upper GI Series?

30-year-old female who presented with a three-week history of vertigo, episodic dysarthria, left lower-extremity weakness.

Imaging demonstrates peripherally isointense and internally hypointense T1 signal of the deep and subcortical white matter. They do not restrict diffusion.  SWI demonstrates no suggestion of hemorrhage or calcification.  The lesions are T2/FLAIR hyperintense with perilesional vasogenic edema and smooth peripheral enhancement.

Can you properly diagnose this 30-year-old female?

Saurabh Jha, MBBS

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