Why the study?
There is no current consensus on the appropriate use of quantitative coronary plaque analysis in clinical practice despite advances and FDA-cleared products.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources are linked where available.
“This is clinically important because NCP, and particularly LAP, is a strong predictor of fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, regardless of CAC score.”
This 2025 ACC Scientific Statement provides consensus recommendations on the appropriate use, interpretation, and reporting of quantitative coronary plaque analysis in clinical practice.
Technological advances in coronary computed tomography angiography and artificial intelligence have resulted in an increasing capability to analyze and quantify information about atherosclerotic coronary plaque through noninvasive imaging. This has paved the way for a growing number of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-cleared products that can perform quantitative coronary plaque analysis (QCPA). To date, research has focused on the accuracy, prognostic value, and decision-making impact of QCPA, but there is no current consensus on its appropriate use in clinical practice. To address this gap, the American College of Cardiology convened a panel of experts for a 1-day symposium to discuss key questions related to the use of QCPA in clinical practice and develop consensus recommendations to guide cardiovascular clinicians and imagers on the use of QCPA. This scientific statement provides guidance on clinical indications (including possible uses of QCPA in serial imaging), methods for interpretation and reporting, and standardization. Future research directions are also addressed, including both the collection of ongoing registry data and potential for incorporation of QCPA into outcomes trials.
Journal, society, and media accounts. Useful signal, not independent expert judgment.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Chandrashekhar et al. (2025) conducted a review in Atherosclerotic coronary plaque. Quantitative coronary plaque analysis (QCPA) was evaluated. The American College of Cardiology provides consensus recommendations for the clinical indications, interpretation, reporting, and standardization of quantitative coronary plaque analysis.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: