Revolutionizing Precision Heart Care
HeartFlow is driving toward a new standard of care for the diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide. CAD affects more than 16 million Americans, and the CDC reports that heart disease is costing the healthcare system $199 billion per year. HeartFlow provides an AI-powered solution to provide a superior alternative to other non-invasive tests, such as SPECT and stress echo. Unfortunately, these standards of care are risky, inaccurate and costly. These tests often don’t provide enough information, causing unhealthy people to be sent home falsely reassured while others unnecessarily go to the cath lab for an invasive procedure, which has its own risks. In contrast, the HeartFlow Analysis offers the highest diagnostic performance and provides physicians with an interactive 3D model of a patient’s coronary arteries. The information physicians glean from the HeartFlow model is highly actionable, enabling them to identify the best treatment path for each patient. With the HeartFlow Analysis, physicians are able to identify which patients truly need revascularization procedures, such as stenting, and which can be managed medically, reducing unnecessary invasive procedures. This incredible test leverages advanced technology such as artificial intelligence and computational physiology and is continuously evolving to meet clinician needs.
The HeartFlow Analysis is a non-invasive solution that takes coronary CT imaging data and applies deep learning, an advanced form of AI, to create a color-coded, personalized 3D model of a patient’s coronary arteries. Our team of highly trained analysts then inspects this model, making any needed edits. Once this patient-specific model is completed, the HeartFlow process applies physiologic principles and computational fluid dynamics to compute the blood flow and FFRCT values at every point in the model. Throughout the process, we follow rigorous and well-established protocols to ensure consistent processing for every patient – no matter which site the data comes from. The information provided by the HeartFlow Analysis helps physicians assess the impact blockages have on blood flow to the heart, helping physicians visualize the problem without invasive procedures and determine the best treatment pathway for each patient. With data from both the coronary CT and HeartFlow Analysis, there is a less than 1% chance of missing disease. In contrast, there is a 20-30% rate of missing disease (false negatives) with traditional stress tests. The HeartFlow 3D model fits into clinical workflows and is accessible by cardiologists through a web interface, mobile app, PDF and integrated with hospital PACS and EMR systems. Here are two videos providing an inside look of the HeartFlow technology: Virtual Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj9DLwbPO-U&list=PLRtOTHEegkp9yFjNVMijgjNFBl6UXmbsI&index=12 Technical Explainer: https://youtu.be/tb9P1hp9z_Y?list=PLRtOTHEegkp9yFjNVMijgjNFBl6UXmbsI
There are many technologies in the marketplace, but the HeartFlow Analysis instills confidence in cardiologists and patients that they have selected the best diagnostic and treatment care pathway. HeartFlow’s technical competitors are the traditional diagnostic methods currently in place to diagnose and treat CAD. Currently, cardiologists use exercise stress tests, SPECT and stress echocardiograms. However, the use of those diagnostic methods at the start of the treatment pathway can lead to 20 to 30% of patients being sent home without their disease detected. Additionally, 55% of patients undergo invasive angiograms and later discover they don’t have obstructive CAD. These inefficiencies cost the patient time, money and peace of mind -- and similarly, the healthcare system spends quality resources. The HeartFlow Analysis’ approach addresses head on those areas of concern. HeartFlow’s technology has proven to reduce the number of unnecessary tests and procedures, reducing overall cost to both hospitals and patients as a result. One-year trial results from the PLATFORM study found the HeartFlow-guided strategy reduced the overall costs to the healthcare system by more than $3,000 per patient after one year. The mean one-year per patient cost for the usual care strategy was $12,145 compared to the $8,794 cost of the HeartFlow-guided strategy. When factoring in a Medicare reimbursement rate of $950 for the HeartFlow Analysis, the healthcare system could save over an estimated $2B annually.
The HeartFlow Analysis has the highest diagnostic performance compared to other diagnostic tests, including CCTA alone, invasive angiograms, PET, CT perfusion and SPECT. HeartFlow’s innovations are the subject of more than 400 issued patents worldwide and over 425 peer-reviewed publications specific to the HeartFlow Analysis in prominent peer-reviewed medical journals. HeartFlow’s extensive evaluation and performance enables cardiologists to confidently identify the most appropriate treatment pathway for each patient. PLATFORM one-year trial results showed an 83% reduction of unnecessary angiograms and zero adverse clinical events, which led to patients experiencing an improvement in quality of life. An example of this in action is through a HeartFlow patient, Dennis, a firefighter for more than 24 years. He began experiencing severe shortness of breath and fatigue and thought it was because of his age. During his annual physical, clinicians identified potential cardiac abnormalities and referred him for further consultation. He received HeartFlow Analysis which showed he had a severe blockage requiring a stent. Dennis immediately noticed the difference in how he felt. “When I walked into the hospital from the parking garage, I was huffing and puffing. When I walked out of the hospital eight hours later, I felt like I could run through that garage," said Dennis. "There’s no doubt in my mind that this analysis saved my life. I feel like I’m thirty years old again.” You can view Dennis' story here: https://youtu.be/Abtb6DdSAmc?list=PLRtOTHEegkp8c-RDtYxUJIZBYOi2ESo-0 In addition, hear directly from HeartFlow customers on the impact on patient care: https://www.heartflow.com/education/case-studies/cone-health/ https://www.heartflow.com/education/case-studies/putting-cad-into-focus/
HeartFlow is transforming the diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease by providing a completely unique, effective and proven cardiac test. Our technology leverages the most advanced technology, provides the highest diagnostic accuracy, is visually captivating and facilitates a better healthcare experience for both physicians and patients.
