Cardiac Imaging Research Team

The mission of the Cardiac Imaging Research Team (CIRT) is to develop nuclear cardiology, cardiac computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods that will help reduce death and disability from cardiovascular diseases. Through research and development of noninvasive imaging techniques, the goals of CIRT are early detection and prevention and, ultimately, eradication of heart attacks.

CIRT is a nonprofit, self-funded research organization housed in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center at Cedars-Sinai. The following research programs are unique to CIRT.

For more than 20 years, CIRT has been collecting what is now the world’s largest registry of information from patients who have undergone cardiac imaging studies. The information derived from historical, demographical, clinical, imaging and outcomes data from patients undergoing cardiac imaging procedures—including nuclear cardiology single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography, cardiac CT and cardiac MRI at Cedars-Sinai—will be used to conduct retrospective and future analyses to help advance the field of cardiac imaging focused around the following general aims to investigate:

• Technical questions such as issues related to the acquisition parameters, image processing and quantitative analysis
• Diagnostic capabilities to detect disease and assess risk compared to other assessments
  
• Prognostic value to predict adverse outcomes of cardiovascular disease and all cause mortality
  
• The usefulness of the testing to guide clinical decision making and monitor therapy with the goal of preventing adverse outcomes
  

Using this registry, CIRT has performed analyses that have shaped the way physicians around the world use nuclear cardiology testing to guide patient management including properly selecting patients for angioplasty or bypass surgery and reducing unnecessary invasive procedures.

The Early Identification of Subclinical Atherosclerosis by Noninvasive Imaging Research, or Eisner Heart Watch Program, was supported by a generous grant from The Eisner Foundation. This immense study investigated the usefulness of coronary calcium screening for early detection and management of atherosclerosis. Through the Eisner Heart Watch Program, CIRT has contributed to significant changes in the clinical applications of noninvasive cardiac imaging resulting in

• More accurate methods for determining risk for developing coronary artery disease by using noninvasive test results in combination with traditional risk factors
  
• Early identification of subclinical atherosclerosis allowing patients to address problems before they strike
  
• Justification for third-party reimbursement of scan costs