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CT Guides Heart Health, Prostate MRI, and Imaging IT Market Lags
June 19, 2025
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Together with
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“[A] hypothesis has emerged that visual evidence of atherosclerosis will prompt both clinicians and patients to do what they are supposed to do.”
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Pamela Douglas, MD and Neha Pagidipati, MD, commenting on CCTA-guided lifestyle modification.
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People who got evidence of their cardiovascular health from coronary CT angiography scans led healthier lifestyles compared to those who got conventional cardiac risk scoring. That’s according to a new study in JAMA Cardiology that has intriguing ramifications not only for managing heart disease but also for the imaging-based wellness industry.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer globally, accounting for one in seven deaths.
- The risk of heart disease can be managed through lifestyle changes like better diet and exercise, but getting patients to follow their doctors’ advice can be a challenge.
So researchers in the new study investigated whether data from a patient’s own coronary CT angiography exam would be a better motivational tool compared to simply calculating a risk score based on demographic factors like weight, BMI, and daily step count.
- They drew 400 participants from the SCOT-HEART 2 study of CT-based cardiovascular screening in Scotland.
Cardiovascular risk scores were calculated for one group using the ASSIGN criteria for 10-year cardiac event risk, while another group got CCTA scans and were shown their results.
- Interventions were recommended for patients in either group based on cardiac risk as calculated by either ASSIGN criteria or CCTA scans, ranging from no interventions to low-level statin therapy to high-intensity statin and enzyme inhibitor treatment.
At six months of follow up, researchers calculated how many participants met the U.K.’s NICE recommendations for diet, body mass index, smoking, and physical exercise, finding …
- Nearly three times more CCTA patients complied with NICE healthy lifestyle guidelines (17% vs. 6%).
- Fewer CCTA patients were told to start preventive therapy due to their risk (51% vs. 75%).
- And of these, CCTA patients were more likely to have followed advice to begin a therapeutic program (77% vs. 46%).
- There was no difference in behavior between CCTA patients who saw their own images and those who were told verbally of their results.
In one important fact, the researchers noted that the study was only designed to measure compliance.
- It did not assess any change in coronary events over time – these will be addressed in the larger SCOT-HEART 2 study.
The Takeaway
The new study offers powerful evidence that getting their own medical imaging results can drive patients to adopt lifestyle changes that lower their disease risk. In addition to informing cardiovascular disease management, it’s also possible to see these findings employed as part of the wellness screening programs that are becoming increasingly prevalent.
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AI Innovations in Lung Disease
In this June 26 webcast, join executives from Riverain Technologies and GE HealthCare as they discuss AI applications developed to detect lung nodules, in particular how AI applications can be integrated into PACS.
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A New Cloud-Based Viewing Solution
Mach7 Technologies has achieved a major milestone with the release of its eUnity Enterprise Diagnostic Viewer with the Amazon Web Services (AWS) HealthImaging Cloud. Learn how this solution creates simplicity for users while enabling faster diagnoses and better patient outcomes.
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The Growth of AI in Pulmonology
Learn more about the capabilities of AI for chest imaging in this on-demand webinar from Blackford. You’ll hear pulmonology professionals discuss several promising areas, from acute imaging through chest X-ray analysis to lung cancer screening.
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- A New Paradigm for Prostate Cancer Screening: Recent clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of MRI-directed prostate cancer screening, such that it could be time for a new prostate screening paradigm. An editorial in JAMA Oncology notes that recent studies like STHLM3-MRI and Göteborg-2 have shown that MRI-targeted screening can “overcome key limitations of PSA testing,” such as overdiagnosis and unnecessary biopsies. The authors call for worldwide feasibility studies to examine the challenges of implementing MRI-based screening on a population scale.
- Are Health Systems Ready for Prostate Screening? How ready are health systems for a broader rollout of MRI-directed prostate screening? The PRAISE-U survey in European Journal of Radiology of Lithuania, Poland, Ireland, and two regions in Spain found that there was some variety in MRI equipment used (3T vs. 1.5T for example). But on the whole most areas were ready for population-based screening, using standardized digital registration and reporting, PI-RADS guidelines for referral, and high-quality bi-parametric and multi-parametric MRI sequences.
- Bayer Files for U.S. Gadoquatrane Approval: Bayer submitted a new drug application to the FDA for gadoquatrane, a high-relaxivity MRI contrast agent. Gadoquatrane is one of a new class of gadolinium-based contrast agents designed to sharply reduce the amount of gadolinium needed to achieve image quality comparable to conventional GBCAs, and gadoquatrane can be used at 60% less dose based on results from the QUANTI clinical trial. Once approved, gadoquatrane would compete with the gadopiclenol high-relaxivity agents from Guerbet (Elucirem) and Bracco (Vueway).
- Bracco/Subtle Collab Advances in Europe: The collaboration between Bracco Imaging and Subtle Medical to optimize gadolinium-enhanced MRI scanning is moving ahead. Bracco and Subtle this week announced the CE Mark for their jointly developed AiMIFY software for reconstructing MRI scans. AiMIFY doubles MRI contrast enhancement and can aid the visualization of small, poorly enhancing lesions. Commercial rollout in Europe is expected in late 2025 and early 2026.
- DBT+CEM Detects More Cancer: A new study offers support for contrast-enhanced mammography as an alternative to breast MRI. Writing in the SCEMAM study in Radiology, researchers performed CEM exams after DBT on 601 women eligible for breast MRI. CEM improved the cancer detection rate by 10 cancers per 1k women, with better AUC compared to DBT alone (0.92 vs. 0.73), and six cancers were found only with CEM. On the down side, the false-positive rate rose 13 percentage points to 22%.
- Tau PET Predicts Alzheimer’s: A new large-scale international study in JAMA confirms the power of tau PET for predicting who might develop Alzheimer’s disease – years before they show symptoms. Researchers performed PET scans of 6.5k people from 13 countries, finding that people positive for both tau and beta amyloid had over three times higher risk of progression to mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s at five years (57% vs. 17%). In all, 9.8% of cognitively unimpaired people were tau-positive, with positivity rates rising in those with MCI or Alzheimer’s.
- Philips Launches New POCUS Platform: Philips this week launched a new point-of-care ultrasound platform, Flash 5100 POC. The POCUS unit is designed for anesthesia, critical care, emergency medicine, and musculoskeletal applications, and combines automation along with support for Philips tools like its Collaboration Live remote connectivity and data sharing technology. Flash 5100 POC also integrates with the company’s other POCUS units like Lumify and Compact 5000 Series. Separately, Philips announced two new FDA-cleared AI applications for Lumify as well as Compact 5000.
- Us2.ai Gets CE Mark in Europe: Us2.ai received the CE Mark for the latest release of its AI echocardiography software. The new version includes automated analysis and single-view cardiac amyloid detection, with support for 67 echo parameters including cardiac chamber quantification, systolic/diastolic function, valvular assessment, and myocardial strain. Building on the successful clinical use of the previous software version at hospitals in Poland, Sweden, France, Germany, and the U.K., the new CE Mark now authorizes clinical deployment of the latest version across Europe.
- New Person Charged in Full-Body Case: U.S. officials have charged a third person in their investigation of an Arizona couple who offered full-body ultrasound screening exams. Fraud charges have been filed against Janmarie Lanzo for allegedly helping Mary and Fred Blakley run a scheme in which they offered full-body ultrasound scans using “smart chip technology” supposedly invented by Mary Blakley that they claimed detected a wide variety of diseases. Clients were then sold a cosmetic cream called Aetheion to treat their supposed ailments.
- Merge Signs Rhode Island Health System: Merge received a contract to install its Merge Imaging Suite Solution for Enterprise Imaging at Brown University Health, the largest health system in Rhode Island. The system includes three teaching hospitals, three community hospitals, and a multi-specialty healthcare practice. The installation will include the Merge VNA vendor-neutral archive and Merge Universal Viewer.
- Philips Recalls Angio System: Philips began a recall of its Azurion angiography system due to a software issue that caused a loss of communication between system software and the X-ray generator’s firmware. An FDA notification notes that the problem could cause a loss of imaging functionality, and lists corrective actions that should be taken by Azurion users. Philips is working to address the issue through a software update.
- CARPL Strikes Alliance with Paxera: CARPL.ai partnered with PaxeraHealth to integrate Paxera’s ARK no-code AI authoring platform with CARPL’s PACS-native AI orchestration tools. ARK enables radiologists to develop their own AI algorithms, while CARPL’s technology will help health systems move these models into clinical use with tools for integrating, validating, and monitoring AI.
- FDA Finalizes CAD Re-Classification: It may just be a formality, but the FDA last week finalized a proposal first issued in 2018 to reclassify radiology computer-assisted detection and diagnosis software as class II medical devices, down from class III, a category that includes more invasive devices like stents, pacemakers, and breast implants. It’s not expected that the new order will change things markedly for software developers, as the FDA says the “classification was applicable” starting May 2018, but the new rule codifies the practice.
- HOPPR Raises $32M for Foundation Models: HOPPR this week announced it has raised $31.5M in Series A funding to commercialize the company’s AI foundation models. HOPPR emerged from stealth in 2023 with technology that enables faster development of medical imaging AI algorithms. PACS companies and other developers can start with HOPPR’s foundation models and then fine-tune them for specific applications.
- DESKi Raises $6M for Heart AI: French cardiac AI software developer DESKi closed a $6M seed round to support the global launch of its HeartFocus echocardiography AI software. DESKi in April received 510(k) clearance for the solution, which guides healthcare professionals to perform echo exams with just a few hours of training. The new funding will be used for both U.S. and international market launches.
- Imaging IT Market Lags: The global imaging IT market lagged expectations in 2024, turning in year-over-year growth of 2.4% rather than the 4.1% that was projected. That’s according to a new report from Signify Research that found the market hobbled by the poor performance (-3.8%) of the advanced visualization segment due to slow China sales. Radiology IT grew at a 4.3% rate that matched projections, while cardiology IT missed forecasts slightly at a 4.9% growth rate. In 2025, the Trump administration’s tariffs will pose challenges.
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Leading the Way in AI Transparency
There’s a need to better inform radiologists about AI’s role when interpreting images and generating measurements. Visage Imaging’s Visage 7 can display text in the viewer indicating that AI was used as a diagnostic aid – find out how it works today.
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Advancing AI-Driven Data Migration
Enlitic has joined forces with GE HealthCare to power the data migration feature in GE’s newly announced Genesis cloud portfolio. Learn how Enlitic’s AI-driven data migration facilitates large-scale transfers of high-quality medical imaging data.
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- AI-Assisted Early Heart Failure Detection: The Heart2Miss screening program in Malaysia drew attention at Heart Failure 2025 for its innovative approach to early heart failure detection. Discover how they screened 1k high-risk diabetic patients with handheld ultrasound and AI-assisted analysis from Us2.ai.
- Visit United Imaging at SNMMI 2025: Discover how United Imaging’s molecular imaging innovations are driving the cure for all patient types at SNMMI 2025. Hear from country music star Joshua Ray Walker, who will tell the story of his colon cancer diagnosis with United’s PET/CT technology.
- Optimize Radiology Workflows: Harness cloud and AI technology to help your radiology teams unlock insights, increase efficiencies, and improve patient care. Learn more about an integrated approach to AI in radiology in this e-book from Microsoft.
- Unprecedented Insights Made Possible with AI: With the largest normative dataset of whole-body imaging in the world, Prenuvo’s AI researchers partner with the best academic minds to understand – like never before – what “normal” aging means. Learn about their work today.
- Enterprise Imaging in Action: Find out how Presbyterian Healthcare increased patient engagement and met regulatory requirements by image-enabling their patient portal in this downloadable white paper from Merge.
- Elevating Generative Reporting to the Web: Learn about the next leap in patient-focused diagnostic imaging with KailoFlow, the web-based evolution of Kailo Medical’s generative structured reporting platform that combines progress, innovation, and accessibility.
- Which Imaging Vendors Are Ready for the Cloud? Which medical imaging vendors are perceived as ready for the cloud? In a survey from KLAS Research, AGFA HealthCare’s approach to the cloud won high marks from customers. Learn more about the report today.
- AI-Powered Early Breast Cancer Detection: DeepHealth parent RadNet is expanding its presence in mammography AI with its pending acquisition of iCAD. Find out how the transaction will accelerate AI-powered early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer on this page.
- Fast and Reliable Head CT Imaging: Whether portable in the ICU or mobile in the ambulance as a mobile stroke unit, SOMATOM On.site from Siemens Healthineers brings critical care imaging to your patients. With the first-of-its-kind telescopic gantry design, integrated positioning accessories, and proven SOMATOM technologies, you can achieve fast and reliable CT head imaging.
- Seamless, Connected Healthcare: Clearpath is committed to facilitating seamless, continued healthcare by optimizing automation and workflows between patients and providers. Learn how the company’s solutions contribute to a healthcare environment where every step of the patient journey is connected and efficient.
- The Benefits of the Cloud for Enterprise Imaging: How are you preparing for the future of cloud-based enterprise imaging? In this downloadable e-book from Optum, learn about the benefits of cloud-based enterprise imaging and how to develop a strategy that works for you.
- Presenting Unboxing AI: Check out CARPL’s video series, Unboxing AI, featuring experts discussing AI and its future in radiology. The next episode on June 19 features Aissa Khelifa of Milvue – reserve your seat today.
- Can Whole-Body MRI Revolutionize Medical Imaging? In this episode of The Radiology Report, Medality CEO Daniel Arnold sits down with Daniel Durand, MD, of Prenuvo to explore how whole-body MRI is reshaping the future of preventive care.
- MRI Access and the Cost of Inpatient Stays: Longer inpatient stays due to delayed MRI access are a long-standing and costly issue for hospital systems. Find out how STAGE from SpinTech MRI can reduce your MRI backlog and inpatient stays by shortening brain scan times by 30%.
- A New Resource for AI of MRI: Gleamer is expanding into AI of MRI with its acquisition of innovative AI developers Pixyl and Caerus Medical. Learn how the company is creating the most comprehensive AI portfolio for medical imaging.
- Maximize New CCTA Reimbursement with Philips CT 5300: Coronary CTA is the preferred noninvasive exam for detecting and ruling out CAD. Updated guidelines and improved reimbursement reinforce its value for stable or atypical chest pain. The CT 5300 from Philips delivers fast, high-quality, low-dose cardiac imaging using AI and zero-click motion correction.
- AI for Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Screening: Check out this comprehensive new eBook from Calantic by Bayer on the role of AI in lung cancer diagnosis and screening. It explores AI’s potential role in improving lung cancer screening strategies, identifying high-risk individuals, and enhancing diagnostic accuracy. Download it today.
- The Power of Enterprise Imaging: Enterprise imaging is connecting care across large health systems. In this article from Intelerad, learn how it creates a connected ecosystem providing a comprehensive view of a patient’s history for informed clinical decision-making.
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