CT Scan Identifies Risk for COPD Exacerbation
CT imaging can identify pulmonary artery enlargement, which is associated with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
CT imaging can identify pulmonary artery enlargement, which is associated with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study published in the most recent issue of New England Journal of Medicine.
Researchers assessed the use of CT imaging to determine the ratio of the diameter of the pulmonary artery to the diameter of the aorta, with the hypothesis that a PA:A ratio of more than 1 would be associated with severe COPD exacerbations.
The 3,464 participating patients were 45 to 80 years old and current or former smokers, with a history of 10 pack-years or more of cigarette smoking. Volumetric CT scans of the chest were obtained without contrast material.
Findings showed “a significant association between a PA:A ratio >1 and a history of severe COPD exacerbations at the time of enrollment in the trial,” wrote the authors. Fifty-three percent of patients with a PA:A ratio of more than 1 reported a severe COPD exacerbation in the year before enrollment into the study, compared with 13 percent with a PA:A ratio of 1 or less who experienced exacerbations. Many of the exacerbations required hospitalization.
This ratio was also independently associated with an increased risk of future severe exacerbations in both the trial cohort and the external validation cohort, the authors noted.
Photon-Counting Computed Tomography: Eleven Takeaways from a New Literature Review
May 27th 2025In a review of 155 studies, researchers examined the capabilities of photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) for enhanced accuracy, tissue characterization, artifact reduction and reduced radiation dosing across thoracic, abdominal, and cardiothoracic imaging applications.
Can AI Predict Future Lung Cancer Risk from a Single CT Scan?
May 19th 2025In never-smokers, deep learning assessment of single baseline low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrated a 79 percent AUC for predicting lung cancer up to six years later, according to new research presented today at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2025 International Conference.
Can Emerging AI Software Offer Detection of CAD on CCTA on Par with Radiologists?
May 14th 2025In a study involving over 1,000 patients who had coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) exams, AI software demonstrated a 90 percent AUC for assessments of cases > CAD-RADS 3 and 4A and had a 98 percent NPV for obstructive coronary artery disease.
