Digital illustration of glowing heart arteries with heart rate graph and calcium deposits.

Is Your Heart Scan Missing the Mark? How to Get Clearer Results

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Understanding the factors that affect the accuracy of FFRCT scans can help you and your doctor make better decisions about your heart health."

If you're managing diabetes and dealing with potential heart issues, you've probably heard about different ways to assess your heart health. One of the tools doctors use is a non-invasive test called FFRCT, or fractional flow reserve computed tomography. This scan helps determine if there are any blockages affecting blood flow to your heart. However, the accuracy of these scans can vary, particularly for people with diabetes.

A recent study published in The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging dives into the factors that influence how well FFRCT scans work, especially for individuals with type 2 diabetes. The goal is to figure out why some scans come out clear and helpful, while others don't provide enough information for doctors to make informed decisions.

Think of it like trying to get a clear photo – if the camera is shaky or the lighting is poor, the image won't be sharp. Similarly, certain things like a fast heart rate or calcium buildup in the arteries can blur the picture your doctor needs to see. Let’s break down what this study found and what it means for you.

Why Are Clear Heart Scans So Important?

Digital illustration of glowing heart arteries with heart rate graph and calcium deposits.

Before diving into the specifics of the study, it's important to understand why these heart scans matter in the first place. FFRCT scans are used to detect myocardial ischemia, a condition where the heart muscle doesn't get enough blood flow. This can lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and other symptoms. The scans also help doctors assess the significance of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Traditionally, doctors have used invasive methods like coronary angiography to measure fractional flow reserve (FFR). During this procedure, a thin wire is threaded through blood vessels to measure pressure and blood flow directly. But FFRCT offers a non-invasive alternative. It uses data from a standard coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scan and applies computational fluid dynamics to estimate blood flow and pressure. This allows doctors to identify blockages without the need for an invasive procedure.

Less Invasive: Avoids the risks associated with traditional angiography.
Detailed Information: Provides a comprehensive view of blood flow throughout the coronary arteries.
Personalized Treatment: Helps doctors make informed decisions about whether procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery are necessary.

The problem is that FFRCT scans don't always work for everyone. Sometimes, the image quality is too poor to provide accurate results. That’s why researchers are working to identify the factors that lead to these unclear scans, so doctors can take steps to improve the process and ensure more patients get the information they need.

What This Means for You

If you're scheduled for a CCTA scan, talk to your doctor about how to optimize the image quality. This might involve taking medication to control your heart rate or following specific preparation guidelines. By understanding the factors that affect scan accuracy, you can work with your healthcare team to ensure you get the clearest, most reliable results possible. This will help you make informed decisions about your heart health and get the best possible care.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s10554-018-1476-0, Alternate LINK

Title: Assessment Of Factors Associated With Measurability Of Fractional Flow Reserve Derived From Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography In Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Intermediate Coronary Artery Stenosis

Subject: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Journal: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Tsuyoshi Nozue, Takeshi Takamura, Kazuki Fukui, Kiyoshi Hibi, Satoru Kishi, Ichiro Michishita

Published: 2018-10-19

Everything You Need To Know

What is FFRCT and how does it help in assessing heart health?

Fractional flow reserve computed tomography (FFRCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique used to evaluate blood flow to the heart. It utilizes data from a standard coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scan and applies computational fluid dynamics to estimate blood flow and pressure. FFRCT helps doctors identify blockages in the coronary arteries that may be causing myocardial ischemia, a condition where the heart muscle doesn't receive enough blood. This information is crucial for determining whether interventions like angioplasty or bypass surgery are necessary, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional methods like coronary angiography.

Why are clear FFRCT heart scans crucial, and what condition do they help detect?

Clear FFRCT heart scans are essential because they enable accurate detection of myocardial ischemia, a condition where the heart muscle does not receive sufficient blood flow. Myocardial ischemia can lead to symptoms like chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath. The scans also help assess the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). By providing a detailed view of blood flow throughout the coronary arteries, FFRCT scans allow doctors to make informed decisions about personalized treatment plans, potentially avoiding more invasive procedures.

What factors can affect the clarity of FFRCT scans, especially for individuals with diabetes?

Several factors can impact the clarity of FFRCT scans, particularly for individuals with diabetes. These include a fast heart rate and calcium buildup in the arteries. These factors can blur the images obtained during the scan, making it difficult for doctors to accurately assess blood flow. Managing these factors through medication and preparation guidelines is important to optimize image quality and ensure reliable results.

How does FFRCT compare to traditional coronary angiography, and what are the benefits of using FFRCT?

Traditional coronary angiography is an invasive procedure that involves threading a thin wire through blood vessels to measure pressure and blood flow directly. FFRCT offers a non-invasive alternative by using data from a standard coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scan and applying computational fluid dynamics to estimate blood flow and pressure. The benefits of FFRCT include reduced risk due to its non-invasive nature, detailed information about blood flow throughout the coronary arteries, and the ability to personalize treatment decisions without the need for an invasive procedure.

If I am scheduled for a CCTA scan, what steps can I take to ensure the clearest, most reliable results?

If you are scheduled for a coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scan, it is important to discuss with your doctor how to optimize the image quality. This may involve taking medication to control your heart rate or following specific preparation guidelines provided by your healthcare team. By understanding the factors that affect scan accuracy, such as heart rate and calcium buildup, you can work with your doctor to ensure you receive the clearest and most reliable results possible. This will help you make informed decisions about your heart health and receive the best possible care, especially when assessing the need for interventions like angioplasty or bypass surgery.