January 30, 2008 - NightHawk Radiology is the exclusive radiology provider for the High-Risk Plaque Initiative, called the HRP Initiative, a research effort aiming to interpret CT Chest scans to identify clinically significant cardiac and nonardiac findings where the participant might benefit from its detection and follow-up.
Additionally, it is expected that affiliated radiologists will read approximately 1,000 cardiac CTA scans performed on a subset of participants believed to be at higher risk for a cardiac event. Cardiac CTA is a heart-imaging test that is rapidly gaining acceptance for its ability to noninvasively determine whether fatty or calcium deposits (i.e., plaque) have built up in the coronary arteries.
The HRP Initiative was created to advance the understanding and management of high-risk plaque, which is believed to be the primary underlying cause of heart attacks and strokes, interpreting chest CT scans for approximately 6,000 study participants.
Since there are currently no noninvasive methods of screening, diagnosis, or treatment for high-risk plaque, the HRP Initiative's goal is to provide a roadmap for the development of screening, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for high-risk plaque, and promote proper use to patients, providers and payors.
For more information: www.nighthawkrad.net
