Calcium Scoring Software Cleared by FDA

A software program that simplifies coronary artery calcium scoring by using existing helical computed tomography (CT) scanners without the use of electrocardiogram (ECG) recording devices has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Calcium scoring is a way to screen patients at risk of coronary artery disease.

Called Vscore with AutoGate, the software was developed by Vital Images, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN, USA). The company found a way of predicting the ECG pattern from the CT image data itself without an ECG recording device. Vscore uses a proprietary algorithm to determine the phase of the heart motion cycle at which each CT slice was recorded and automatically selects the images of the heart least affected by cardiac motion, without an ECG signal. Eliminating the ECG requirement decreases patient preparation time and improves patient comfort while reducing hardware and imaging center costs.

"The potential to track image registration with phases of the cardiac cycle is exciting, with tremendous potential for both structural and functional assessment of the heart and coronary vessels,” said Dr. Jonathan Goldin, associate professor of radiology and director of the Radiology Research CORE at University of California, Los Angeles (USA).



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