CT Can Predict Future Cardiovascular Disease, Study

According to a new study, Computed Tomography (CT) scans can be used for predicting cardiovascular diseases in individuals with high risk. The findings of the study are highlighted online and will be published in the November issue of Radiology. Martijn J. A. Gondrie, M.D., from the Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care at the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands, and the lead author of the study, said "The results of this study show that radiologists can predict cardiovascular disease fairly well using incidental findings of calcifications of the aortic wall on CT, along with minimal patient information, such as age, gender and the reason for the CT. Ultimately, this easily executed extra risk stratification has the potential to reduce future heart attacks or other cardiovascular events."