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 hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




Lung Scans Detect Heart Disease in Patients Without Cardiac Symptoms

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 03 Dec 2024
Print article
Image: Transaxial image of a lung cancer screening CT scan showing coronary artery calcium in all three coronary arteries (Photo courtesy of CMAJ DOI/10.1503/cmaj.231602)
Image: Transaxial image of a lung cancer screening CT scan showing coronary artery calcium in all three coronary arteries (Photo courtesy of CMAJ DOI/10.1503/cmaj.231602)

Low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) is a standard method used for lung cancer screening. Now, new research has shown that these CT scans can also detect coronary artery calcium, a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), in patients who do not show any symptoms of heart disease.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (Ottawa, ON, Canada) analyzed data from 1,486 patients screened for lung cancer between March 2017 and November 2018 as part of the Ontario Health Lung Cancer Screening Pilot for High-Risk Individuals. The results, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, showed that coronary artery calcium was found in 83% (1,232) of the patients, with high levels present in 30% (439). The participants were predominantly male (52%), with an average age of 66, and 68% (1,017) were current smokers. Given that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada, low-dose CT screening has been widely implemented for individuals at high risk of developing the disease. This study found that CT scans could also easily detect coronary calcification, a known marker of coronary artery disease, which is the leading cause of heart-related death.

The success of this pilot program depends on how clinicians interpret and manage the detection of coronary artery calcium. However, the researchers caution that coincidental detection could lead to unnecessary investigations. They recommend further research on how best to manage patients with coincidentally discovered coronary artery calcium but emphasize that cardiovascular disease prevention should be an ongoing focus and could be integrated into lung cancer screening efforts to enhance overall health outcomes.

"Lung cancer screening, although primarily geared towards reducing deaths from lung cancer, also has an opportunity to help tackle the second most common cause of premature death in middle-aged adults, through the identification and risk stratification of coronary atherosclerosis," stated Dr. Gary Small, University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Portable X-ray Unit
AJEX140H
Silver Member
X-Ray QA Meter
T3 AD Pro
New
Cylindrical Water Scanning System
SunSCAN 3D
Portable Color Doppler Ultrasound Scanner
DCU10

Print article

Channels

Radiography

view channel
Image: AI can identify “mammographically-visible” types of interval cancers earlier by flagging them at the time of screening (Photo courtesy of ScreenPoint Medical)

AI Improves Early Detection of Interval Breast Cancers

Interval breast cancers, which occur between routine screenings, are easier to treat when detected earlier. Early detection can reduce the need for aggressive treatments and improve the chances of better outcomes.... Read more

MRI

view channel
Image: An MRI scan can reveal a heart’s functional age (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New MRI Technique Reveals True Heart Age to Prevent Attacks and Strokes

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Individuals with conditions such as diabetes or obesity often experience accelerated aging of their hearts, sometimes by decades.... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: In vivo imaging of U-87 MG xenograft model with varying mass doses of 89Zr-labeled KLG-3 or isotype control (Photo courtesy of L Gajecki et al.; doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.124.268762)

Novel Radiolabeled Antibody Improves Diagnosis and Treatment of Solid Tumors

Interleukin-13 receptor α-2 (IL13Rα2) is a cell surface receptor commonly found in solid tumors such as glioblastoma, melanoma, and breast cancer. It is minimally expressed in normal tissues, making it... 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 © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.