HeartFlow FFRCT | AI-Assisted Virtual Coronary FFR Analysis | MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt
HeartFlow FFRCT is an advanced diagnostic technology that helps evaluate the effect of coronary vessel stenosis on blood flow by analyzing Coronary CT Angiography images with artificial intelligence. How is HeartFlow applied, to whom is it recommended, and in which situations is it used? Get detailed information with the evaluations of Prof. Dr. Osman Beton.
HeartFlow FFRCT
Coronary artery disease is an important health problem that develops as a result of narrowing or blockage of the vessels feeding the heart and is among the most common heart diseases worldwide. Symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and discomfort during exertion can be precursors of coronary artery disease. However, not every vessel stenosis has the same clinical significance. While some narrowings significantly affect blood flow, others may not significantly impair the nutrition of the heart despite appearing severe. Therefore, evaluating only the image of the vessel may not always be sufficient. HeartFlow FFRCT is one of the AI-assisted advanced cardiovascular analysis technologies developed to help make this distinction.
HeartFlow FFRCT helps evaluate the functional impact of narrowings in coronary vessels on blood flow by analyzing Coronary CT Angiography images with advanced artificial intelligence algorithms and Computational Fluid Dynamics technology. Thus, it can provide additional information not only on the presence of vessel stenosis, but also on the extent to which this stenosis may affect blood flow to the heart muscle. This technology can contribute to reducing unnecessary interventional procedures and planning treatment more accurately in suitable patients.
At MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt Cardiology Department, HeartFlow FFRCT evaluations are analyzed by our Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Osman Beton together with Coronary CT Angiography results, patient clinical findings, ECG, Echocardiography, and other cardiological examinations. The goal is to contribute to evaluating coronary artery disease not only anatomically but also functionally, establishing a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan.
What is HeartFlow FFRCT?
HeartFlow FFRCT is an AI-assisted analysis technology that helps evaluate the effect of coronary vessel narrowings on blood flow using data obtained from Coronary CT Angiography images.
The system creates a three-dimensional coronary vessel model and performs virtual Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) analysis using computational fluid dynamics. In this way, vessel stenosis can be evaluated not only as an image, but also for its functional effect on the blood supply of the heart.
HeartFlow FFRCT is not a standalone diagnostic method. Results must strictly be interpreted by a cardiology specialist together with other clinical findings and imaging methods.
In Which Situations Can HeartFlow FFRCT Be Used?
HeartFlow FFRCT can contribute to the evaluation of coronary artery disease in suitable patients.
Its primary areas of use include:
Suspected coronary artery disease
Patients with vessel stenosis detected on Coronary CT Angiography
Evaluation of chest pain
Cases where functional analysis of moderate coronary vessel narrowings is needed
Evaluation of the necessity for interventional procedures
Clinical situations deemed appropriate by the cardiology specialist
The use of the technology is planned according to the clinical characteristics of the patient.
Is Preparation Required Before HeartFlow FFRCT?
For HeartFlow analysis, high-quality Coronary CT Angiography images must first be obtained. Therefore, the preparation process is planned according to the Coronary CT Angiography protocol.
Current medications, kidney functions, and existing heart diseases are evaluated by the cardiology specialist prior to the procedure.
How is HeartFlow FFRCT Applied?
During the HeartFlow procedure, no additional intervention is applied to the patient. Images obtained after Coronary CT Angiography are transferred to a specialized analysis system.
The AI-assisted software creates a three-dimensional model of the coronary vessels and calculates blood flow within the vessel to perform virtual FFR analysis. The prepared detailed report is evaluated by the cardiology specialist along with the clinical condition of the patient.
During HeartFlow analysis, no additional radiation is administered to the patient, and no additional catheter procedure is applied. Evaluation is performed over existing Coronary CT Angiography images.
What Are the Advantages of HeartFlow FFRCT Technology?
HeartFlow FFRCT is one of the advanced cardiovascular analysis technologies that help evaluate Coronary CT Angiography images not only anatomically but also functionally. By using AI-assisted analysis and computational fluid dynamics, the potential effect of coronary vessel narrowings on blood flow to the heart can be evaluated. However, HeartFlow FFRCT is not a standalone diagnostic method. Results must strictly be interpreted by a cardiology specialist together with other clinical and imaging findings.
In suitable patients, HeartFlow FFRCT:
Can contribute to evaluating the functional impact of coronary vessel narrowings.
Can allow analysis over existing Coronary CT Angiography images.
Can support evaluation without requiring additional catheter procedures.
Can perform analysis without creating new radiation exposure.
Can provide additional clinical information to the cardiology specialist in treatment planning.
Can contribute to reducing the need for unnecessary interventional coronary angiography in suitable patients.
Can support the evaluation of the necessity for revascularization (stent or bypass).
The contribution of the technology may vary according to image quality, vessel structure, and clinical characteristics of the patient.
Which Diseases Can HeartFlow FFRCT Contribute to Evaluating?
HeartFlow FFRCT has been developed specifically for the evaluation of coronary artery disease.
The primary areas of evaluation include:
Coronary artery disease
Coronary vessel narrowings
Stable chest pain
Ischemic heart disease
Functional evaluation of moderate coronary lesions
Evaluation of the necessity for interventional treatment
Functional analysis of coronary circulation
When deemed necessary, HeartFlow FFRCT results are evaluated together with ECG, Echocardiography (ECHO), Exercise Stress Test, Coronary CT Angiography, Coronary Angiography, and other cardiological examinations.
Post HeartFlow FFRCT Process
After the analysis is completed, the detailed report generated is evaluated by the cardiology specialist. The HeartFlow FFRCT result is not used alone to make a treatment decision. Findings are addressed together with the patient’s complaints, physical examination, laboratory results, and other cardiological examinations.
As a result of the evaluation, continuing medical treatment, recommending lifestyle modifications, planning interventional coronary angiography, or evaluating stent or coronary bypass surgery in suitable patients may come into question. The treatment approach is determined individually for each patient.
Importance of Specialist Experience in HeartFlow FFRCT Evaluation
Although HeartFlow FFRCT provides advanced level analysis technology, accurate clinical interpretation of the obtained data requires evaluation by an experienced cardiology specialist. Patient symptoms, risk factors, ECG findings, Echocardiography results, and other examinations play a decisive role in the treatment decision as much as the degree of vessel stenosis.
At MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt Cardiology Department, Prof. Dr. Osman Beton creates a personalized diagnostic and treatment plan by analyzing HeartFlow FFRCT analyses together with Coronary CT Angiography findings and all cardiological evaluations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HeartFlow FFRCT a new imaging method?
No. HeartFlow FFRCT is not a new imaging procedure. It is based on analyzing existing Coronary CT Angiography images with AI-assisted software.
Is radiation received again during HeartFlow FFRCT?
No. Because the analysis is performed over existing Coronary CT Angiography images, no additional radiation is applied.
Does HeartFlow FFRCT replace coronary angiography?
No. HeartFlow FFRCT is an auxiliary analysis method that contributes to treatment planning. When deemed necessary, interventional coronary angiography can still be recommended.
Can HeartFlow be applied to every Coronary CT Angiography patient?
No. The applicability of the analysis is evaluated by the cardiology specialist based on image quality, vessel anatomy, and clinical characteristics of the patient.
Is HeartFlow FFRCT a painful procedure?
No. Because no additional procedure is applied to the patient, it does not cause pain. Analysis is performed strictly on existing images.
Conclusion
HeartFlow FFRCT is one of the advanced cardiovascular analysis technologies that help evaluate the functional impact of coronary vessel stenosis on blood flow by analyzing Coronary CT Angiography images with AI-assisted algorithms. Thanks to requiring no new intervention, applying no additional radiation, and allowing evaluation over existing images, it can make significant contributions to diagnosis and treatment planning in suitable patients. However, HeartFlow FFRCT is not a standalone diagnostic method, and its results must strictly be interpreted together with a comprehensive cardiological evaluation.
In line with comprehensive evaluations conducted by Prof. Dr. Osman Beton at MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt Cardiology Department, HeartFlow FFRCT analyses are interpreted on a personalized basis and required advanced examinations or treatment plans are established. Patients applying from across Güzelyurt, TRNC, Cyprus, and North Cyprus can receive detailed information regarding HeartFlow FFRCT, coronary artery disease, coronary CT angiography, chest pain, cardiovascular diseases, and interventional cardiology evaluations. In patients with suspected coronary vessel disease or needing advanced evaluation after Coronary CT Angiography, an early cardiology evaluation can help establish the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.