Hologic, Inc. is a leading provider of state-of-the-art diagnostic and digital imaging systems directed toward women's health. Recently, the company received a UFDA clearance to use information from the Hologic Discovery™ Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) system as a predictor of coronary heart disease, stroke, and other forms of cardiovascular disease. The visualization of Abdominal Aortic Calcification (AAC) is an indication of heart disease and stroke.

"Abdominal aortic calcification is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease including heart attacks and strokes," says Douglas Kiel, MD MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Director of Medical Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, and an investigator in the Framingham Heart Study.

"These abdominal aortic calcifications can be seen in IVA scans, and if present, have significant implication for the care of the patient. AAC is particularly valuable since it contributes independently of traditional clinical risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and age to the prediction of heart attack risk.

This FDA clearance means that doctors can now use the information from a standard low dose, 10 second Instant Vertebral Assessment (IVA) osteoporosis test, to visualize the presence of AAC, which is associated with cardiovascular disease.

Source: Hologic Inc. Press Release