CT Ventilation Imaging from 4DMedical Shown to Rival Gold Standard PET Scans
A new peer-reviewed study published in Respiratory Research confirms that 4DMedical’s CT Lung Ventilation Analysis Software (CT LVAS) provides results comparable to those of the gold standard PET method, as well as two additional research techniques for assessing regional lung function. The findings demonstrate a strong association and agreement between 4DMedical’s CT LVAS and PET-ventilation at the lobar level and comparable correlation at the voxel level. Utilizing routine non-contrast CT scans, CT LVAS generates detailed regional ventilation information. This highlights CT LVAS as a safe and contrast-free modality for functional lung imaging, making it an ideal tool for assessing lung function across a range of respiratory conditions.
5 Ways to Keep Your Lungs Healthy
Our lungs are hard at work every day, taking in oxygen, filtering out carbon dioxide, and powering every cell in our bodies. Issues with pulmonary health quickly affect our heart, brain, and other major organs. Quality of life can be severely impacted by poor lung health, with individuals no longer able to complete daily tasks without being out of breath, leading to a tremendous loss of independence. As we age, lung capacity naturally declines, and maintaining optimal lung health becomes even more critical. Here are five simple strategies to ensure that you can breathe easily.
Reducing the Burden on Healthcare Systems: The Efficiency of 4D Imaging in Respiratory Medicine
Anyone who has faced a health challenge knows that a diagnosis can take time, often, a lot of time. Studies suggest that the average patient can wait 25 to 1,800 days for a diagnosis, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that this timeline can extend to four to five years for rare or complex diseases.
Lung diseases are challenging to diagnose, as symptoms develop gradually over many years. For instance, a patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) might experience a decade of cough, frequent respiratory infections, and breathlessness during exercise before receiving a formal diagnosis.
AI-Driven CT Innovations from 4DMedical Transform COPD Diagnosis and Patient Care
As COPD continues to grow as a global health burden—predicted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to become the third leading cause of death by 2030—innovative AI-driven medical imaging technologies are rapidly advancing diagnosis, staging, and treatment. In a recent Radiology Today article, “Breathing Room,” writer Beth W. Orenstein explores how clinicians are increasingly relying on advanced CT imaging solutions.
How Coronary Artery Calcification Predicts Heart Health
Coronary artery calcification is a strong indicator of heart health and potential heart attack risk. The calcification aspect refers to the collection of calcium in your heart’s two main arteries (the coronary arteries). These arteries are responsible for pumping blood to the rest of the body. A well-functioning heart also ensures that blood circulates efficiently through the lungs, facilitating effective gas exchange.
Protecting Your Heart and Lungs
The cardiothoracic system includes two of our most important organs, the heart and lungs. Heart health and lung health are strongly intertwined and play an enormous role in our daily health, overall body function, and ultimately, our quality of life. Preventive cardiothoracic screenings can identify issues before they become serious problems, leading to better patient outcomes. For example, patients who undergo low-dose lung CT screenings have a 63% greater likelihood of surviving five years or more. Lung cancer often has few or subtle symptoms until the disease has become advanced; lung screenings in at-risk individuals can catch cancer before symptoms even begin.
What is Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
Patients with chronic lung disease are frequently advised to participate in pulmonary rehabilitation programs. But what exactly is pulmonary rehabilitation, and are these programs effective?
Reducing Jargon in Radiology Reports
The 21st Century Cures Act was signed into law in 2016 and mandated that patients have immediate access to their radiology reports. While having immediate access provides for greater transparency and control for patients, it also risks the misinterpretation of report language. Radiology reports are often filled with medical jargon that can cause unnecessary stress and confusion for a patient.
The Hidden Dangers of Vaping
Vaping has been marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking and has found its way into mainstream culture with sleek devices, enticing flavors, and excellent advertising. E-cigarettes, also known as electronic cigarettes or vaping devices, are battery-powered and simulate smoking by heating a liquid (often called e-liquid or vape juice) to create an aerosol, which is then inhaled. Many physicians have raised the alarm that vaping is very likely to be just as (if not even more) dangerous than traditional smoking.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the Importance of Lung Imaging
Over 12.5 million Americans live with COPD. The discomfort caused daily by COPD increases rates of anxiety and depression in individuals and can severely limit their ability to work, causing significant financial damage to families. The American Lung Association estimates that the total economic cost of COPD is close to $50 billion each year, including $29.5 billion for direct healthcare expenditures, $12.4 billion for indirect mortality costs, and $8.0 billion for indirect morbidity costs.