Visualizing scarring of the heart with photon-counting CT
The 2ILLUMINATE project aims to explore the value of photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) in the detection and visualization of scarring of the myocardium, known as myocardial fibrosis, across several heart diseases. The newly formed consortium between Maastricht University and Siemens Healthineers Nederland B.V., a leading innovator in (photon-counting) CT imaging, will drive advancements in cardiac imaging, and potentially revolutionize the standard of care for heart diseases.
Currently, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is considered the gold standard for the non-invasive detection of myocardial fibrosis. However, CMR has its limitations, including the inability to effectively visualize coronary plaques and/or calcifications, as well as a relatively low spatial resolution, making it difficult to detect fibrosis in smaller structures. Additionally, the availability of CMR is hindered by its long scan time, resulting in extensive waiting lists. Certain contraindications, particularly in patients with heart conditions, further limit its applicability.
The recently introduced PCCT may revolutionize modern CT-imaging. PCCT technology allows simultaneous multi-energy acquisitions that can be used to visualize various tissue characteristics. This has major clinical implications by enabling assessment of coronary calcifications, coronary artery disease, atrial/ventricular fibrosis, extracellular volume, and viability in a single investigation. This one-stop-shop approach could substantially improve clinical decision making, patient care, resource use, health care costs, waiting lists, and patient comfort.
This project hypothesizes that PCCT will be able to visualize myocardial fibrosis as accurate as CMR. The current study will investigate the benefits and clinical applications of this technology.
