Texas Governor signs landmark early heart disease detection screening legislation

Governor Rick Perry of Texas has signed HB1290, the nation's (USA) first preventive cardiovascular screening bill for early detection of coronary artery disease. The legislation, which will take effect on September 1, requires Texas insurers to pay up to $200 for a either a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan measuring coronary artery calcification, commonly known as a Calcium scoring exam, or ultrasonography for measuring carotid intima-media thickness and plaque. The reimbursement is being made available to men between 45 and 76 years of age and women between 55 and 76 who are either diabetic or who have an intermediate or higher risk of developing coronary artery disease, based on the Framingham Heart Study coronary prediction algorithm. The test may be conducted every five years by a certified laboratory - Angioplasty.org

New, automated system for diagnosis of major coronary artery stenosis allows radiologists to prioritize critical cases

"A new automated system designed for the interpretation of coronary CT angiography (CCTA), helps radiologists determine which cases are high priority and should be read first, according to a study performed at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. The study included 100 CCTA studies submitted for evaluation using the new automated system (COR Analyzer II Software). 'The software detected 10/13 patients with artery stenosis 50% or greater and correctly identified 59/80 patients with less than 50% artery stenosis,' said Shaoxiong Zhang, MD, lead author of the study. The negative predictive value for the study population was high, 95%,' said Dr. Zhang." - American Roentgen Ray Society

Radiation dose can be reduced for 'triple rule-out' coronary CT angiography

Physicians can dramatically reduce the radiation dose delivered to patients undergoing coronary CT angiography in a "triple rule-out" protocol by simply using tube current modulation, according to a study performed at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. - Physorg.com