HeartFlow’s AI-powered CAD offering reaches a significant milestone

Michael Walter | January 03, 2024 | Cardiovascular Business | Artificial Intelligence

Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow

Image courtesy of HeartFlow.

HeartFlow kicked off 2024 by announcing that more than 250,000 heart patients have now undergone coronary artery disease (CAD) assessments using the company’s FFR_CT Analysis tool.

HeartFlow FFR_CT Analysis uses advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to evaluate cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) exams and produce personalized 3D models of a patient’s’ coronary arteries. The software was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration back in 2014. When cardiac CT received the highest possible recommendation in the 2021 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association chest pain guidelines, it was seen as a significant step forward for HeartFlow’s technology and other similar offerings available on the market.

While FFR_CT Analysis has long been HeartFlow’s trademark offering, the company has used its success to branch out and develop other AI-powered CT analysis tools for cardiovascular disease, including the recent release of Plaque Analysis and RoadMap Analysis.

HeartFlow's FFR_CT Analysis software in action.

“We are extremely proud of achieving the 250,000 patient milestone with our physician partners. Our collective team shares in our excitement for the future and are eager to build on this success.” John Farquhar, HeartFlow’s CEO, said in a prepared statement. “We’ve experienced a year of notable accomplishments and growth including the expansion of our product portfolio with Plaque Analysis and RoadMap Analysis. Our continued commitment to developing a new standard of care for patients at risk of heart disease remains steadfast and we look forward to surpassing more milestones in the future.”

Himanshu Gupta, MD, director of cardiac imaging at the Heart and Vascular Clinic of Valley Health System in New Jersey, recently discussed his team’s experience implementing HeartFlow’s CAD evaluation software in a video interview with Cardiovascular Business. According to Gupta, gaining access to these FFR-CT evaluations has helped he and his colleagues determine when patients need immediate treatment and encourage radiologists and cardiologists to collaborate on a regular basis.

The benefits of implementing FFR-CT in clinical practice

HeartFlow gains FDA clearance for 2 new AI-powered imaging assessments

Cardiac CT comparable to invasive angiography when assessing stable chest pain, new meta-analysis confirms

Cardiac CT now in the spotlight thanks to chest pain guidelines

VIDEO: HeartFlow FFR-CT sees increased interest after inclusion in the 2021 Chest Pain Guidelines

CMS sets payment rate for HeartFlow’s FFR-CT solution in 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

Michael Walter, Managing Editor

Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.

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