We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




CT Scans Beats Genetics at Predicting Heart Attack Risk

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 24 May 2023
Print article
Image: CT scan is best at predicting heart disease risk in middle age (Photo courtesy of Freepik)
Image: CT scan is best at predicting heart disease risk in middle age (Photo courtesy of Freepik)

Traditionally, doctors have relied on standard risk-factor levels, such as blood pressure and cholesterol, to assess an individual's likelihood of developing coronary heart disease or heart artery blockages. However, these conventional methods can fail to identify some people at risk of heart attacks or other heart-related conditions. Given the hereditary nature of heart disease, scientists have been hopeful that a person's genetics could provide insight into who is most at risk. The concept of polygenic risk scores - a compilation of over 6 million common genetic variants associated with heart disease - was seen as a potential leap forward for personalized medicine. A recent study, however, has found that CT scans are more accurate than genetics in predicting a middle-aged person’s risk for heart disease, such as a heart attack.

In the study, researchers at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL, USA) directly compared the efficacy of genetics and CT scans for coronary artery calcium and demonstrated that the CT scan is superior to genetics at predicting heart disease risk in middle-aged individuals. The study incorporated data from 3,208 adults across two cohorts - one in the U.S. and the other in Rotterdam, Netherlands. This data included risk factors for heart disease (such as smoking status, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure), genetic information, and CT scan data to estimate the risk of developing heart disease over a follow-up period of up to 17 years.

The researchers examined how using either CT scans or polygenic risk scores altered the predicted risk of individuals based on conventional risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol. They investigated whether adding either of these markers (CT or genetics) shifted individuals into a different risk category. A low risk individual is defined as someone with less than a 7.5% risk of developing heart disease in the next decade. Those with a risk above 7.5% are typically recommended statins. The study found that genetic data did not affect a person’s risk category based on their conventional risk factors. However, when CT scan data was considered, half the study participants were reclassified into the high-risk group.

“Finding the best way to identify who is at risk for developing heart disease can help determine what needs to be done to lower their risk,” said lead study author Dr. Sadiya Khan, an assistant professor of medicine and preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine cardiologist. “This finding can help doctors and patients in managing risk for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S.”

“These findings support recommendations to consider CT screening to calculate risk for heart disease in middle-aged patients when their degree of risk is uncertain or in the intermediate range,” Khan said. “The data from the CT scan can help identify individuals who may benefit from medications, such as statins, to reduce their risk of heart disease.”

Related Links:
Northwestern University 

Gold Supplier
128 Slice CT Scanner
Supria 128
New
Gold Supplier
IMRT Thorax Phantom
CIRS Model 002LFC
New
Ultrasound System Drapes
Ultrasound System Drapes
Wireless Portable Flat Panel Detector
Saturn 8000

Print article
Sun Nuclear -    Mirion

Channels

Radiography

view channel
Image: Radiologists outperformed AI in identifying lung diseases on chest X-ray (Photo courtesy of RSNA)

Radiologists Beat AI in Detecting Common Lung Diseases on Chest X-Rays

Chest X-rays are frequently used for diagnosis, but it takes a lot of training and expertise to read these images correctly. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some artificial... Read more

Ultrasound

view channel
Image: The new device targets ultrasound waves to precise spots in the brain (Photo courtesy of WUSTL)

Anatomically Precise Ultrasound-Based Technique to Enable Noninvasive Biopsies for Brain Tumors

The blood-brain barrier serves as a protective wall, keeping the brain safe from harmful elements like viruses and toxins in the blood. This makes it challenging for doctors to obtain molecular and genetic... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: Imaging entire body instead of only the primary cancer site can provide a total estimate of HER2 expression (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Whole-Body PET/CT Predicts Response to HER2-Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients

Around 20% of women diagnosed with breast cancer show overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), making it a key therapy target for new as well as recurring cases.... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.