SMIL Southwest Medical Imaging is advancing the assessment of your heart health with Heartflow Analysis. Using images from a non-invasive heart scan, also known as a coronary CTA, this AI-enabled heart test provides a personalized 3D model of your coronary arteries that shows how disease may be impacting blood flow to your heart, as well as identifying the amount, location, and type of plaque present. This detailed information helps you and your doctor better understand the severity of your disease and determine a personalized treatment plan.^6,7

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of heart attacks. ^1,2 It occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, potentially restricting blood flow to the heart. This buildup can result in chest pain or even lead to a heart attack. Most people who suffer a heart attack don't have prior symptoms and are considered low risk by traditional measures. ^3,4

A heart attack shouldn't be the first sign of heart disease. CCTA + Heartflow Analysis offers a more comprehensive ⁵ view of your heart's health, allowing more informed decision making for you and your physician. ^6,7

Heartflow Analysis may not be appropriate for all patients. If your provider suspects coronary artery disease and orders a Coronary CT scan, they may decide that you are eligible for a Plaque Analysis, FFRCT Analysis, or both. While no diagnostic test is perfect, FFRCT and Plaque Analyses have demonstrated better accuracy compared to other non-invasive cardiac tests. ^{8, 9}

For eligible patients, Heartflow Analysis is covered by Medicare. Most commercial insurers cover the flow measurement part of the analysis, and there is some coverage by commercial insurers for the plaque measurement portion of the test. Please contact your insurance company to determine your coverage and estimated cost.

Citations:

1. Heart Disease Facts. CDC. Accessed December 18, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
2. Heart Attack. CDC. Accessed December 18, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/heart-attack.html
3. 2010 ACCF/AHA Guideline for Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk in Asymptomatic Adults Circulation. November 2010.
4. Preventing myocardial infarction in the young adult in the first place: how do the national cholesterol education panel iii guidelines perform? Journal of the American College of Cardiology. May 2003.
5. Williams MC, et al. Circulation. 2020. doi: 10.1161 CIRCULATIONAHA.119.044720
6. Rinehart S, et al. JSCAI. 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.jscai.2024.101296
7. Douglas PS, et al. The PRECISE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol. 2023;8(10):904–914. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2023.2595
8. Driessen, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2019; Norgaard, et al, Euro J Radiol 2015.
9. Narula J, et al. Eur Heart J. 2024. doi: 10.1093/ehjci/jeae115