Transforming heart health: Expanding access with dedicated cardiac CT scanners

The United States continues to face a growing prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Over the next 30 years, risk factors like hypertension, diabetes and obesity are predicted to rise by double digits, with obesity projected to jump from 43.1% to 60.6%. Consequently, primary care physicians can expect to see more patients with heart problems as these risk factors climb. Cardiovascular diseases like coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke are also expected to increase significantly.

In 2020, one in three U.S. adults received care for a cardiovascular risk factor or condition. By 2050, cardiovascular disease alone will affect 45 million adults, and when combined with hypertension, over 184 million adults. This rise comes with a staggering cost. According to the American Heart Association, annual health care costs for cardiovascular conditions are expected to almost quadruple, rising from $393 billion in 2020 to $1.49 trillion by 2050.

Ongoing clinical and patient care pathway changes are necessary to address this growing trend. While traditional methods like stress tests and catheterizations have been the standard for evaluating and managing heart conditions, the emergence of cardiac computed tomography angiography (cardiac CTA) as a first-line test for individuals with chest pain symptoms is offering new solutions globally.

Improving patient care from diagnosis to treatment

New guidelines for cardiac CTA, along with artificial intelligence (AI) advancements for analyzing ischemia and coronary plaque, are providing important information for diagnosing and treating patients. However, challenges still exist. Many patients are still unaware of cardiac CT technology, and integrating these scanners into outpatient settings, office environments and mobile units cost-effectively remains a significant hurdle.

These limitations often lead to significant delays in patients accessing timely cardiac imaging. Many providers refer them to hospitals, where scheduling can be challenging due to the requirements for inpatient hospital care. To address this issue, health care providers are increasingly investing in dedicated cardiac CT programs.

Integrated delivery networks, outpatient facilities, office-based practices, ambulatory surgery centers and mobile providers are rapidly adopting dedicated cardiovascular CT programs. These programs are expanding access and reducing wait times, with many locations now scanning over 40 patients daily.

Overcoming barriers to access in cardiac care

Dedicated cardiac CT programs offer a faster, more convenient and less stressful method for diagnosing and managing coronary artery disease, improving both patient access and outcomes. The convenience and comfort of regional facilities, coupled with specialized care and staff, provide a welcome change for many patients, easing the stress and anxiety often associated with coronary artery disease.

However, the high cost of advanced cardiac CT systems remains a significant barrier to wider adoption. Even with precise results from cardiac CTA and advanced AI analysis, many patients still rely on the combined expertise of their primary care physician and cardiologist to navigate and select the most appropriate treatment or surgical option.

With heart disease deaths on the rise, there is an urgent need to expand access to these diagnostic tools. As more health care providers invest in dedicated cardiac CT programs, overcoming these challenges will help improve access to lifesaving diagnostics and ensure that patients receive the most informed and effective treatment available.

Doug Ryan, CEO of Arineta, is a leader in worldwide commercialization and business growth of diagnostic imaging technology, developing and launching multiple generations of CT technology and pioneering some of the industry’s most transformative breakthroughs. Prior to Arineta, Doug served as vice president of Siemens Healthineers Computed Tomography business in North America and had previous executive leadership roles at Samsung and Toshiba over the last 30 years in their diagnostic imaging systems businesses.