CT Coronary Angiography (with AI)
High-resolution CT scan of coronary arteries — measures both hard (calcified) and soft (vulnerable) plaque using AI analysis.
Optimal Range
No significant stenosis or vulnerable plaque
Why It Matters
AI-enhanced coronary CTA (e.g., Cleerly) can detect and characterize arterial plaque years before a heart attack. Soft plaque is particularly dangerous because it is invisible to standard calcium scoring and can rupture suddenly.
Understanding CT Coronary Angiography (with AI)
Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is a non-invasive imaging test that uses contrast-enhanced CT scanning to visualize the coronary arteries in exquisite detail. When enhanced with AI-based analysis (such as the Cleerly platform), it can not only detect plaque but characterize its composition — distinguishing between calcified (hard, stable) plaque and non-calcified (soft, vulnerable) plaque. This distinction is clinically critical because most heart attacks are caused by the rupture of soft, non-calcified plaque that is invisible to standard calcium scoring.
The AI-enhanced analysis provides quantitative metrics including total plaque volume, percent stenosis, and the ratio of low-attenuation plaque (the most dangerous type) to total plaque. This level of detail allows for risk reclassification — some patients with elevated lipid markers are found to have zero plaque (reassuring), while some with 'normal' cholesterol levels are discovered to have significant plaque burden (alarming). This direct visualization of arterial disease is more informative than any blood test or risk calculator.
CCTA is particularly valuable for individuals with elevated ApoB, Lp(a), or hsCRP who want to know whether these risk factors have translated into actual arterial disease. It is also useful for individuals with a strong family history of premature heart disease or those with ambiguous risk profiles. The test involves a small radiation dose (approximately 1–5 mSv with modern scanners) and typically requires IV contrast dye. Cleerly-enhanced CCTA is increasingly covered by insurance with a physician referral.