Tokyo (February 26, 2026) – Konica Minolta, Inc. (Konica Minolta)’s proprietary technology, Dynamic Digital Radiography, has been listed as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in the JCS/JPCPHS 2025 Guideline on the Management of Pulmonary Thromboembolism, Deep Venous Thrombosis, and Pulmonary Hypertension (the 2025 Guideline)^*1 published by the Japanese Circulation Society.

Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR)

DDR is Konica Minolta’s proprietary X‑ray imaging technology that rapidly acquires a series of sequential radiographs, enabling the motion of organs and other tissues to be visualized as dynamic images. This makes it possible to observe breathing, heartbeat, joint movement and other physiological cycles in detail, providing more diagnostically useful information than conventional still images. Another major advantage is its ability to capture dynamic information at a radiation dose approximately equivalent to that of two standard chest radiographs (posteroanterior and lateral views).
In addition, DDR is equipped with advanced image-processing and analysis modes that enable functional evaluation beyond simple motion display. For example, visualization related to lung function, such as pulmonary perfusion imaging and respiratory function imaging, has been achieved, making it possible to visualize and analyze functional information that cannot be obtained with conventional plain X-ray imaging.

Recent Research on DDR for CTEPH Diagnosis

CTEPH is a rare disease in which early diagnosis is critical for improving treatment outcomes. Evaluating pulmonary perfusion is essential for early diagnosis. Lung scintigraphy^*2 has long been recommended, but it requires the administration of radioactive drugs, which increases the examination burden, and it also requires costly equipment.

For the diagnosis of CTEPH, a research group at the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, including Professor Kohtaro Abe of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Associate Professor Kazuya Hosokawa of Center for Advanced Medical Open Innovation, Professor Kousei Ishigami and Assistant Professor Yuzo Yamasaki of the Department of Clinical Radiology, and others, has developed a pulmonary perfusion imaging technology using DDR. This technology makes it possible to assess the distribution of pulmonary perfusion during a brief breath hold of a few seconds using a dedicated device (similar to plain X-ray equipment). Compared with lung scintigraphy, it features lower radiation exposure compared with lung scintigraphy and does not require contrast agents or radionuclides, thereby reducing the examination burden on patients. Konica Minolta is also a member of this research group.

A retrospective study using data from 50 patients with pulmonary hypertension confirmed, based on radiologist image interpretation, that the diagnostic performance for CTEPH was comparable to that of lung scintigraphy. These results were published in the internationally prestigious scientific journal "Radiology" in 2022, demonstrating that DDR may be effective in detecting CTEPH with accuracy comparable to lung scintigraphy.^*3

Inclusion of DDR in the 2025 Guideline

The 2025 Guideline published by the Japanese Circulation Society aims to provide consistent guidance for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary hypertension and CTEPH. It includes information for both healthcare professionals and for patients and their families, with the goal of promoting understanding of these diseases and achieving better clinical care.

Earlier studies have demonstrated the usefulness of DDR‑based pulmonary perfusion imaging in diagnosing CTEPH. In line with this evidence, the 2025 Guideline recommends DDR as a modality to be considered in the diagnostic evaluation (Recommendation Class IIa, Evidence Level C). Its inclusion in the 2025 Guideline suggests that Konica Minolta’s proprietary DDR is recognized as an auxiliary diagnostic technique.

Konica Minolta will continue to support CTEPH diagnosis in ways that help reduce the burden on patients, while promoting the widespread use of DDR and enhancing its clinical value as a new option that expands diagnostic possibilities.

*1.JCS/JPCPHS 2025 Guideline on the Management of Pulmonary Thromboembolism, Deep Venous Thrombosis, and Pulmonary Hypertension

*2.Scintigraphy is a method in which radioactivity emitted by a radioactive drug injected into the body and distributed to organs, is detected using specialized equipment to generate an image of its distribution.

*3.Reference: Yamasaki Y, Abe K, Kamitani T, Hosokawa K, Hida T, Sagiyama K, et al. Efficacy of dynamic chest radiography for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Radiology. 2023;306(3): e220908
https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.220908