Cardiologists to highlight the many benefits of AI-powered CCTA evaluations
Two renowned cardiologists are teaming up to explore the short- and long-term impact of using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) platforms to evaluate coronary CT angiography (CCTA) results for signs of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Michael Gallagher, MD, and Kristian Taekker Madsen, MD, PhD, are scheduled to speak Thursday, Dec. 19, at 12:30 ET for “Critical reasons for incorporating Plaque Analysis into your CAD diagnosis,” a new webinar hosted by Cardiovascular Business and HeartFlow.
Gallagher is the medical director of cardiac CT at Beaumont Health in Royal Oak, Michigan, and Taekker Madsen is a cardiologist with the University Hospital of Southern Denmark. Both clinicians have extensive experience using HeartFlow’s Plaque Analysis software to assess CCTA images and ensure CAD patients receive the follow-up care they need. They plan on using the webinar to share their stories and explore the many ways Plaque Analysis has improved patient care.
The discussion is expected to last approximately 30 minutes. It will contain relevant, actionable information for general cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, general practitioners, nurses, radiologists, technologists, cardiovascular service line directors, cath lab directors, and many other healthcare professionals.
Forward momentum for HeartFlow’s Plaque Analysis software
Plaque Analysis has gained significant momentum in recent months, receiving a new Category 1 CPT code from the American Medical Association in addition to expanded Medicare coverage through multiple local coverage determinations. While the new permanent CPT code confirms Plaque Analysis is here to stay, the improved Medicare coverage helps ensure more patients will be eligible to undergo AI-powered CAD evaluations.
Another key policy update related to Plaque Analysis was finalized on Nov. 1 when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a new payment policy that more than doubled the Medicare reimbursements hospitals receive for performing CCTA. Physicians, imaging specialists and AI vendors alike cheered the news as a momentous step forward for heart patients throughout the United States. As HeartFlow Chief Medical Officer Campbell Rogers, MD, said at the time, “CCTA is the future of CAD diagnostics and is a critically important, guideline-recommended test for patients with suspected CAD.”
Click here to register for the webinar for free. A full recording will be made available after the fact for any interested parties who signed up.
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.