The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Foundation has awarded Kevin Evans, PhD, of Ohio State University $25,000 to investigate the viability of using ultrasound instead of CT for calcium scoring.
"This project has important significance, as it is designed to address the need for better screening assessment for adults typically given a statin or medication to control hypertension, but not a more [thorough] diagnostic workup," Evans said.
If successful, Evan and colleagues posit that ultrasound could serve as a more cost-effective, radiation-free alternative to coronary artery calcium scoring on CT.
The ASRT provides grants to radiologic science professionals at various stages of research, including $3,000 to new researchers, $4,000 to emerging researchers, and $25,000 to experienced researchers.
![Images show the pectoralis muscles of a healthy male individual who never smoked (age, 66 years; height, 178 cm; body mass index [BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared], 28.4; number of cigarette pack-years, 0; forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], 97.6% predicted; FEV1: forced vital capacity [FVC] ratio, 0.71; pectoralis muscle area [PMA], 59.4 cm2; pectoralis muscle volume [PMV], 764 cm3) and a male individual with a smoking history and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) (age, 66 years; height, 178 cm; BMI, 27.5; number of cigarette pack-years, 43.2, FEV1, 48% predicted; FEV1:FVC, 0.56; PMA, 35 cm2; PMV, 480.8 cm3) from the Canadian Cohort Obstructive Lung Disease (i.e., CanCOLD) study. The CT image is shown in the axial plane. The PMV is automatically extracted using the developed deep learning model and overlayed onto the lungs for visual clarity.](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/03/genkin.25LqljVF0y.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
