Heartbeat: CT Fractional Flow Reserve

September 3, 2018

A life-saving test has recently been introduced to our organisation. The state-of-the-art computer technology can track blood flow through the arteries – detecting whether there are important narrowings of the blood vessels that put the patient is at risk of a heart attack. Amazingly this is done in a single breath whilst the patient is still dressed and without performing an invasive procedure making it much safer than the current tests.

As well as potentially saving lives, the new technology called the CT Fractional Flow Reserve (CTFFR) Analysis, could also cut waiting times, and save the NHS millions of pounds according to NICE.

The test has been developed by HeartFlow and carries out an analysis of a standard CT scan of the heart already undertaken by the Trust. It offers an in depth look inside the narrowing of an artery and whether it is impacting blood flow.

Previously, an invasive procedure called an invasive angiogram had to be carried out to find out the extent of blockage within an artery.

Dr Derek Connolly, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, said: “Cardiovascular disease is still the biggest killer in Sandwell and West Birmingham. We are already undertaking 2,000 state-of-the-art CT scans of the heart a year to diagnose disease in patients presenting with chest pain. This makes the test even better.

“Our service will continue to grow thanks to the new HeartFlow analysis service that we have launched.

“We are using cutting edge technology so that we can ensure that our patients are treated efficiently, effectively and safely.

“The CT scan allows us to take a detailed look inside the patient’s artery but the Heartflow CT FFR tells us about the blood flow too. As well reducing side effect sometimes experienced through invasive procedures, the programme will also be saving the NHS money.”

He explained how the analysis worked: “Once a CT scan is carried out, the programme analyses the data, which is sent to Heartflow to be analysed on their supercomputer, based in California.

“It takes just a few hours for the results to return. In most cases the patient knows by the next day.

“The analysis will show how each blockage impacts blood flow to the heart and is more detailed than in an invasive angiogram.”

From the CT images, HeartFlow creates a complete geometric and physiological model of the patient’s unique coronary artery blood flow. It also analyses the fluid flow closely.

The end result is a colour-coded map of the coronary arteries showing the extent of any “narrowings” which are disrupting blood flow. The doctor can use this to plan further treatment of the patient.

Anthony D’Sa, Consultant Radiologist, added: “This is a very exciting time for heart imaging. This new technique will identify those patients who would benefit most from proceeding to an operation, at the same time it will identify those patients who can be treated with medication, and thus avoid an unnecessary procedure. It also means we will be providing state-of-the-art heart imaging at our hospital.”