Siemens Healthineers Combines CT Technology With HeartFlow's Non-Invasive CAD Diagnostic
Future generations of Siemens Healthineers’ computed tomography (CT) machines will include the only commercially available diagnostic tool capable of collecting fractional flow reserve (FFR) data for coronary artery disease (CAD) non-invasively. HeartFlow’s FFRct analysis creates a personalized 3D model of coronary arteries using CT imaging, and allows clinicians to make therapeutic decisions while reducing the necessity of invasive procedures.
The current gold standard for CAD diagnosis is coronary angiogram, which detects blockages using X-rays taken following an injection of contrast dye. The procedure may last several hours and is usually conducted while a patient is sedated. Risks associated with angiograms include bruising, internal bleeding, allergic reaction to the dye, or arterial leakage, according to the Society of Vascular Surgeons. CT angiography (CTA) is non-invasive, but clinical study — such as research published by the New England Journal of Medicine — has demonstrated that the accuracy of CTA is not superior to more invasive procedures.
The design HeartFlow FFRct analysis system, which was granted de novo FDA clearance in 2014, aims to improve the accuracy of CTA technology with powerful algorithms, and studies have shown the system outperforms traditional CTA, with a specificity of 79 percent, versus 34 percent, and outperforms invasive angiograms 79 percent to 51 percent. A study completed in 2016 showed that 60 percent of patients evaluated using HeartFlow FFRct were able to cancel invasive procedures, which generated cost savings of 26 percent and improved patient outcomes. NICE, the financial watchdog for the U.K.’s healthcare system, recently recommended the technology for NHS patients.
The global collaboration inked by Siemens Healthineers and HeartFlow will begin integrating the former’s CT technology with HeartFlow’s diagnostic in the U.S., with plans to expand into other global markets further down the road.
“It is a fact that the treatment planning for coronary artery disease patients can be improved via quantitative data out of FFR measurements,” said Andre Hartung, head of CT at Siemens Healthineers, in a press release. “With our exciting partnership, we create an integrated solution that combines exceptional CTA images with our high performance scanners with the only commercial product available that can derive FFR analysis non-invasively from CT data.”
HeartFlow CEO John Stevens commented that the two companies hold a shared commitment to improving patient experience while reducing the total cost of healthcare. “By working together,” said Stevens, “we can ensure this technology gets to every patient who can benefit from it.”
Siemens Healthineers — which may split from parent company Siemens in the near future — recently partnered with Northwell Health to collaborate on research that could improve health outcomes by reducing costs using population health management efforts.
Related, in August, Siemens introduced a more precise, lower radiation CT scanner that allows clinicians to adjust kV settings depending on the system’s intended application. Earlier this year, the FDA cleared Siemen’s “budget friendly” MR system for small and medium-sized hospitals.