Atlanta (Sept. 25, 2019) — Building on Piedmont Heart Institute’s unique capabilities in advanced imaging, Piedmont is the first healthcare system in Georgia to adopt the HeartFlow Analysis, a non-invasive procedure helping physicians assess the functional significance of coronary artery blockages.

The diagnostic test involves conducting a fractional flow reserve CT (FFRCT), after which a digital 3D model of the patient’s coronary arteries is created. The HeartFlow Analysis uses computer algorithms to simulate blood flow and assess the impact of coronary artery blockages on the heart. The use of imaging over an invasive procedure is always safer for patients, and technological advances over the past few years have made this procedure both possible and increasingly cost-effective.

“The HeartFlow Analysis provides the physician with the essential information to determine the best approach for each individual patient,” said Venkateshwar Polsani, M.D., Piedmont Heart’s Director of Cardiovascular MRI and CTA. “The models that are produced by HeartFlow Analysis are amazingly detailed and provide great information on the functional significance of stenosis in a patient’s arteries.  This is game-changing technology for our patients and for all of Piedmont’s cardiologists and physicians.”

Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease. It develops when arteries leading to the heart narrow or become blocked, causing chest pain, reduced blood flow to the heart, and heart attacks. According to the American Heart Association, coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. HeartFlow FFRCT Analysis improves how this is evaluated and diagnosed, leading to more accurate results and guiding the treatment procedures.

To learn about cardiology services at Piedmont, visit piedmont.org/heart.