Over the last decade we have seen tremendous progress in cardiac CT technology. With the introduction of 64-slice MDCT, we now have a clinical tool that permits accurate and reproducible detection of coronary atherosclerotic plaque and stenosis, and en passant information on global and regional ventricular function and potentially myocardial perfusion.

The CVCT core laboratory was created to accommodate the increasing need to conduct large scale studies to demonstrate the clinical utility of cardiac CT, to provide advanced teaching in the clinical arena, and to offer high-quality teleradiology services in cardiac imaging. We are optimistic that this dedicated facility will further the advancement of cardiac CT imaging for physicians, academia, and industry.

The CVCT core laboratory will operate as a professional compartmented PACS/RIS/Data Management facility that is capable of handling administrative and scientific aspects of large multi-center trials, and will comply with all NIH/FDA regulations. Services include the standardized qualitative and quantitative assessment of cardiac CT data sets for the presence of coronary artery calcification, coronary artery stenosis, non-calcified coronary atherosclerotic plaque, global and regional left ventricular function and myocardial perfusion, and the evaluation of incidental findings.

In addition, the core laboratory has a team of experienced researchers that cover a broad spectrum from epidemiology, inflammatory biomarkers, genetics, statistics, decision and economic analysis that can assist in the development of trial concept and design, including statistical approaches, and decision and cost effectiveness. The core laboratory will also provide over-reads, consulting for CT protocols, and is developing software for automatic detection of coronary plaque and stenosis.