Nov 10, 2019 Transformative Cardiac Care

visual representation of a patient's heart, done with HeartFlow analysis, which uses Fractional Flow Reserve CT (FFR-CT) technology

Patients with heart disease symptoms can now be evaluated with a revolutionary, noninvasive technology

Until recently, the only definitive way for cardiologists to know if a patient with chest pain had a significant blockage in the heart’s arteries was to perform an angiogram. During this invasive procedure, a catheter is inserted into the arteries, a dye is injected, and x-rays are taken while the dye travels through the arteries.

Now, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus (MMCSC) has a revolutionary, noninvasive way to evaluate patients with chest pain and those who ar e suspected of having a blockage in the heart’s arteries: HeartFlow Analysis, which uses Fractional Flow Reserve CT (FFR-CT) technology. "This test allows us to determine with greater confidence and accuracy whether a patient has a significant blockage in the heart’s arteries without putting him or her through unnecessary, invasive testing," says Rajesh Mohan, MD, MBA, FACC,.FSCAI, an interventional cardiologist and Chief Medical Officer at MMCSC.

Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus Cardiologist, Cardiology Fellows, and Administrators"We will be the first in our area and only the fourth in the state to offer this advanced technology... Says Frank J. Vozos, MD, FACS, Chief Executive Officer at MMCSC and Executive Vice President at RWJBarnabas Health. "This is a 'win win’ for Monmouth and Ocean County residents."

A Three dimensional view of arteries

HeartFlow Analysis, which was developed by HeartFlow, a Redwood City, California-based company, works by measuring blood flow in a patient’ s coronary arteries First, a standard coronary CT scan is performed. If the scan reveals blockages that indicate significant coronary artery disease, the CT images are then analyzed using HeartFlow’s artificial intelligence software to create a personalized, three-dimensional model of the patient’s arteries.

The result is a color-coded map that shows the location and severity of blockages in the arteries. Cardiologists can then use this information to develop a treatment plan. "This noninvasive scan tells us if a blockage in the heart arteries may need invasive treatment, like a stent or cardiac bypass, or if it can be treated with medications," says Dr. Mohan. "Patients would know if they have a blockage and if it’s significant without having to go through tests, including invasive procedures. They may also avoid unnecessary admission to the hospital and the associated costs."

MMCSC recently updated its new CT scanner with the new FFR-CT-enabled technology. While an angiogram remains the gold standard, this transformative technology could potentially change the way coronary artery disease is diagnosed and treated," says Dr. Mohan. "I’ve been following this technology for a few years. It brings together human intelligence and artificial intelligence, helping us to identify patients with dangerous blockages noninvasively while providing a better patient experience. This has recently been approved for use in the U.S., and I’m excited that the vast majority of our patients will be able to avoid unnecessary invasive testing and benefit from this new technology.

Your heart doesn't just beat for you. Get it checked. To reach a Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus cardiac specialist, call 888.724.7123 or learn more about HeartFlow FFR-CT Analysis.