High-Risk Plaque Research Initiative To Identify Individuals at High Risk of Heart Attack or Stroke Two to Three Years before Occurrence

A High-Risk Plaque Initiative (HRP Initiative) has been developed as a joint research effort to advance the understanding and management of high-risk plaque, which is believed to be the primary underlying cause of heart attacks and strokes.

As part of the research effort, NightHawk Radiology Holdings, Inc.'s (Coeur d'Alene, ID, USA) U.S. Board Certified radiologists will interpret chest computed tomography (CT) scans for approximately 6,000 study participants. Additionally, NightHawk Radiology Services expects its affiliated radiologists will read approximately 1,000 cardiac CT angiography (CTA) scans performed on a subset of participants believed to be at higher risk for a cardiac event. Cardiac CTA (CCTA) is a heart-imaging test that is quickly gaining acceptance for its ability to noninvasively determine whether fatty or calcium deposits (i.e., plaque) have built up in the coronary arteries. The purpose of the interpretation of the CT chest scans by NightHawk's affiliated radiologists is to identify clinically significant cardiac and noncardiac findings where the participant might benefit from its detection and follow-up.

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 payers.

NightHawk Radiology Services has deployed an independent imaging network system explicitly for the HRP Initiative and it expects to begin evaluating reads in the first quarter of 2008. "We are very excited to be a part of this initiative, which involves high-profile medical institutions, leading pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, and scientists in the fields of cardiology, pathology, and imaging,” said Dr. Paul Berger, chairman and chief executive officer of NightHawk Radiology Services. "Participating in this initiative builds on the opportunities that lie ahead for our new service offerings such as CCTA, which we believe will continue to gain acceptance as the standard noninvasive diagnostic tool.”

NightHawk Radiology provides services to radiology groups and hospitals throughout the United States.


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