Hamilton Medical Center (HMC) in Dalton has expanded its cardiac diagnostic capabilities with the addition of HeartFlow Plaque Analysis, an advanced technology designed to help physicians better evaluate coronary artery disease and develop personalized treatment plans for patients.
The FDA-cleared technology uses artificial intelligence to analyze data from standard coronary CT angiography (CCTA) scans, providing physicians with additional information about plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
HeartFlow Plaque Analysis measures the total volume of coronary plaque, identifies different types of plaque, including calcified, non-calcified, and low-attenuation plaque, and helps assess the severity and risk associated with coronary artery disease.
These findings allow healthcare providers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a patient’s heart health and make more informed decisions about prevention and treatment based on individual medical histories, symptoms, and clinical results.
“HeartFlow Plaque Analysis provides a validated measurement of total plaque volume and its calcified and noncalcified subcomponents across the whole coronary tree, allowing a more accurate estimation of cardiovascular risk than coronary artery calcium (CAC) score or degree of coronary artery stenosis alone,” said Dr. Zorana Mrsic, a non-invasive cardiologist.
“Our goal is to use this information as part of a comprehensive evaluation to guide prevention and treatment for each patient,” Mrsic added.
In addition to the new plaque analysis technology, Hamilton Medical Center offers HeartFlow FFRCT Analysis, which uses coronary CT images to estimate how narrowing in the coronary arteries may affect blood flow.
This technology allows physicians to evaluate potential blood flow restrictions without requiring an additional imaging appointment or an invasive procedure such as heart catheterization.
Hamilton Medical Center also utilizes PCI Navigator, an artificial intelligence-driven planning tool that creates patient-specific three-dimensional models to assist interventional cardiologists in planning cardiac procedures.
The technology is designed to help streamline procedures while improving efficiency and supporting physicians in making clinical decisions.
The addition of HeartFlow Plaque Analysis further expands Hamilton Medical Center’s cardiac imaging and diagnostic services, providing physicians with more detailed information to assess coronary artery disease and help determine appropriate treatment options.
Hospital officials say the combination of these advanced technologies supports a more individualized approach to cardiovascular care, with the goal of improving the evaluation, prevention, and treatment of heart disease for patients throughout Northwest Georgia.