The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has released a new scientific statement and consensus recommendation about quantitative coronary plaque analysis, according to a report published December 17 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.
A group led by Yellapragada Chandrashekhar, MD, of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, noted that research has focused on the accuracy, prognostic value, and decision-making impact of quantitative coronary plaque analysis (QCPA), but there has been no current consensus on QCPA-appropriate use in clinical practice.
Importantly, the new guidance outlines clinical indications, methods for interpretation and reporting, reporting elements recommended for both physicians and vendors, and standardization of QCPA, as well as best practices for interpreting AI-enabled plaque quantification.
The team also recommended that vendors strive to develop standardized QCPA algorithms that account for differences in kVp, detector type, and reconstruction parameters when reporting QCPA results.
The paper responds to technological advances in coronary CT angiography and artificial intelligence. It is intended for cardiologists who use QCPA in clinical practice and cardiovascular imagers who may interpret and report this information, according to Chandrashekhar and colleagues.
Read the complete paper here.
![Axial images from unenhanced calcium score cardiac CT (left) and curved planar reformation images from CT angiography (right) show that higher long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with greater coronary artery calcium and more obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Top row: Images in a 68-year-old male patient with higher 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (7.9 μg/m3 for particulate matter measuring ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] and 17.4 parts per billion [ppb] for NO2) with extensive CAD (coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >1,000 and obstructive CAD [≥70% diameter stenosis]). Bottom row: Images in a 57-year-old female patient with lower 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (6.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 4.6 ppb for NO2) with no CAD (CACS = 0 and no obstructive stenosis).](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/06/hanneman.r6SMLzkezo.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
