Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease
06:16

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease

Published on: August 9, 2024

Cardiac CT for personalized phenotyping in stable coronary artery disease: toward precision medicine

Joel Lenell1, Kajetan Grodecki1,2, Jacek Kwiecinski3

  • 1Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States.

BJR Open
|July 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) now guides chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis by assessing plaque features, not just ischemia. Advanced imaging and AI enable precise risk assessment for personalized patient management.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Radiology
  • Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

Background:

  • The diagnostic approach for symptomatic chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) has shifted towards noninvasive anatomical assessment.
  • Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is now the preferred first-line modality for evaluating CAD in most patients presenting with chest pain.
  • This paradigm shift emphasizes stenosis and plaque characterization over traditional ischemia testing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review CCTA-derived plaque features and associated imaging biomarkers for risk stratification in CAD.
  • To highlight the potential of these biomarkers in precision phenotyping and individualized patient management.
  • To discuss future developments facilitating the clinical adoption of novel CCTA imaging biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on technological advancements and landmark trials in CAD diagnostics.
  • Focus on the evolution from qualitative to quantitative plaque analysis using CCTA.
  • Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for rapid quantitative plaque component acquisition.

Main Results:

  • CCTA enables detailed characterization of coronary plaque features, serving as crucial clinical risk markers.
  • Novel imaging biomarkers, including peri-coronary adipose tissue attenuation and epicardial adipose tissue volume, are identified.
  • AI-powered software facilitates feasible, rapid quantitative plaque analysis in clinical practice.

Conclusions:

  • CCTA-derived plaque features and biomarkers offer significant potential for precise CAD phenotyping.
  • These advancements support individualized management strategies for patients with coronary artery disease.
  • Future developments are expected to drive widespread clinical integration of these advanced imaging biomarkers.

Keywords:
cardiac CT angiographychronic coronary syndromeischemiamyocardial infarctionplaqueprecision medicine

More Related Videos

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans04:40

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans

Published on: August 28, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT01:28

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scanning is an advanced cardiac imaging technique that utilizes CT technology, with or without intravenous (IV) contrast, to produce accurate cross-sectional virtual slices of specific areas of the heart, coronary circulation, and major blood vessels such as the aorta, pulmonary veins, and arteries. The computer processes these slices to generate three-dimensional images. Multidetector CT (MDCT) is a rapid form of CT scanning that captures multiple slices...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT01:25

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT

Calcium-Scoring CT ScanA calcium-scoring CT scan, also known as coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan, detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This test assesses the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to cardiovascular events such as angina, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.A calcium-scoring CT scan is generally recommended for individuals at intermediate risk of CAD without symptoms. It includes:Men aged 40-75 and women aged 50-75: Especially those with a...
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...