Incidental Coronary Calcification on CT imaging
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Artificial Intelligence to detect incidental coronary artery calcification on CT chest imaging in the NHS
IRAS ID
297141
Contact name
Richard Good
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Golden Jubilee National Hospital, National Waiting Times Board
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Computed Tomography (CT) scans are increasingly performed to investigate and diagnose many conditions including lung disease, cancer, blood vessel and bone problems. These scans often include images of the heart but the heart is not the main focus of the scan which is usually looking for problems elsewhere. The images of the heart that are on the scans may include unexpected findings including the presence of calcification in the heart arteries. Calcification in heart arteries is important as it confirms the presence of heart artery disease. The presence and extent of this calcification in the heart arteries is a very important predictor of a patient having a heart attack or dying from heart disease. As the images of the heart are not the primary reason for the scan, the radiologist may not notice heart artery calcification and may not report it.
Importantly, there are multiple interventions that we can offer patients if we know they have heart artery disease including medications, screening for conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure and lifestyle treatments such as exercise, diet and encouraging smoking cessation.
This research is to design a computer programme to automatically detect heart artery calcification on any CT scan that includes the heart in the images. There are a number of challenges to doing this but we believe it is possible, with new techniques that use artificial intelligence programmes, to train a computer to recognise and report this finding. If we can successfully develop this programme then we can reduce the work of our radiologists and improve the care of patients by ensuring that this important finding is recognised and can prompt a patient to receive advice and intervention that will protect them from future problems.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/YH/0217
Date of REC Opinion
15 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion