HeartFlow

Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is known to have excellent anatomical imaging, but has lacked the ability for functional assessments, requiring chest pain patients with intermediate stenosis lesions to be sent to the cath lab or nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging. However, recent advances in CCTA image analysis software and the accumulation of supporting clinical data may soon enable CT perfusion imaging and virtual fractional flow reserve-CT (FFR-CT) to become mainstream in the coming years. 

University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical is now offering a new, non-invasive test for coronary artery disease designed to help physicians develop the right treatment plan for each patient. Developed by HeartFlow Inc., computed tomography-fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) is a non-invasive imaging technology specifically designed to offer insight on both the extent of the blockage, as well as whether it is impacting blood flow to the heart. UH Case Medical Center’s Daniel Simon, M.D., will be first to use the CT-FFR test in the United States.

The key take away message from the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) annual meeting in July was that CT technology is advancing rapidly and there is a strong feeling it will become the pre-eminent cardiac imaging modality. 

A large number of emergency room visits are for chest pain evaluation, and many hospitals are adopting CT angiography as a primary test to quickly rule-out coronary disease.