Revolutionary AI-driven 3D heart scans cut the need for invasive tests and have already saved millions of pounds, according to new analysis.
Now rolled out across 56 NHS hospitals in England, the clever tech enables doctors to diagnose and treat patients with suspected heart disease much faster by turning a CT scan of their heart into a personalised 3D image which is then analysed using AI.
The sci-fi like tool is helping give tens of thousands of patients at risk of potentially life-threatening coronary heart disease a faster and more accurate diagnosis, while also freeing up capacity in the NHS.
One of the patients who has benefitted from the technology said that she wasn’t a classic case of coronary heart disease but this enabled the cause of symptoms to be quickly identified, which was potentially lifesaving.
A new study of the technology’s use, published in Nature Medicine, found that it reduced the number of patients needing invasive angiogram tests by a sixth (16%) in cases where it was later found no further treatment was required – and by 7% overall.
The number of second heart tests patients needed within a two-year period has also been cut by 12%.
New NHS data also shows that over 24,300 patients so far have benefitted since the technology was rolled out on the NHS in 2021, enabling hundreds of patients to avoid invasive procedures and saving the NHS an estimated £9.5m – equivalent to around £390 per patient.
A total of 6,898 patients had access to the AI-driven analysis – called Heartflow – in the last year alone.
The NHS has said that this is a prime example of how technology will make the NHS fit for future generations as part of the 10 Year Health Plan, set to be published in the summer.
Dr Vin Diwakar, national director of transformation at NHS England, said: “It is fantastic see that these revolutionary AI-driven 3D heart scans, supported by NHS England, are transforming cardiac care by significantly reducing the need for invasive tests, speeding up diagnoses, conserving NHS resources, and enabling clinicians to advise patients on the best treatment for their condition.”
Coronary heart disease (CHD) develops when fatty material builds up inside the coronary arteries, restricting the blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart, and putting patients at risk of heart attacks or heart failure. It is the most common type of cardiovascular disease, affecting 2.3 million people in England.
Previously patients suspected of having CHD would need to undergo a CT scan and if a narrowing or blockage in a coronary artery was suspected, many would need an invasive angiogram to confirm the diagnosis. This involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel, then having dye injected so that narrowed or blocked blood vessels can be seen on an X-ray.
Instead, the new technology uses specialist analysis of the CT scan of the heart to create a personalised 3D model of a patient’s coronary arteries and assess the extent and location of blockages, which is interpreted by a cardiologist.
Many patients can then be treated through medication and lifestyle changes, with an invasive angiogram only recommended if they may need to undergo surgery or have a stent fitted.
The tool also has the ability to suggest the size and position of stent that would work best for the specific patient.
