Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center (EMRMC) now offers a proven, non-invasive diagnostic option for people with suspected heart disease. Using computed tomography (CT) images combined with CT-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) is a non-invasive clinical pathway that helps diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD). Trained analysts and AI algorithms create an anatomical model of a person’s heart that helps physicians visualize the blood flow and detect stenosis, or plaque that obstructs the blood flow.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults in the United States, and CAD is the most common type of heart disease, affecting nearly half the adult population. CAD develops when the arteries leading to the heart narrow or become blocked, which may lead to a reduction in blood flow to the heart. This can cause chest pain, heart attacks and death. Identifying exactly where and how an artery is blocked or clogged can help improve a person’s treatment plan — including whether or not an intervention is needed.
Despite CAD being the most common form of heart disease, studies have shown there is a need to improve how and when CAD is evaluated and diagnosed. Many of the non-invasive tests available today offer a low accuracy rate in detecting CAD. About 4 million diagnostic tests are conducted on patients with chest pain suspected of having CAD each year in the U.S. — many of which are unnecessary.
“The HeartFlow FFRCT Analysis will help us develop the most appropriate treatment plan for a patient with coronary artery disease without the need for unnecessary and stressful procedures,” said Dr. Gbolahan Ogunbayo, cardiologist at Ephraim McDowell Heart & Vascular Institute. “This is game-changing technology that will be beneficial for both our patients and the organization.”
The HeartFlow FFRCT Analysis offers the highest diagnostic accuracy available from a non-invasive test. Additionally, in clinical trials, using the HeartFlow FFRCT Analysis helped identify which patients do and do not need invasive treatment. The use of the HeartFlow FFRCT Analysis also reduced the cost of care by 26% compared to usual care.