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NICE guidance recommends HeartFlow FFRct Analysis to help determine cause of stable chest pain in patients

Press releases may be edited for formatting or style | February 13, 2017 Cardiology Emergency Medicine
February 13, 2017, LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) issued guidance today for use of the HeartFlow® FFRct Analysis to help determine the cause of stable chest pain in patients. Developed by HeartFlow, Inc., the HeartFlow FFRct Analysis is the first non-invasive technology to provide insight into both the extent of coronary artery disease and the impact that disease has on blood flow to the heart, enabling clinicians to select an appropriate treatment.

NICE recommends the HeartFlow FFRct Analysis for patients with stable recent onset chest pain. Based on the evidence, it concluded the technology is safe, has a high level of diagnostic accuracy and may avoid the need for invasive coronary angiography. The committee further concluded that, when compared to all other tests, use of the HeartFlow FFRct Analysis could save the NHS approximately £214 per patient (equating to £9.1million/year in NHS England alone) through avoiding unnecessary invasive tests and treatment.

Today’s guidance follows chest pain guidelines issued by NICE in November 2016, recommending non-invasive coronary CT angiography (cCTA) as the initial diagnostic test for patients with stable chest pain. NICE now recommends the HeartFlow FFRct Analysis as the most cost effective option when additional information is needed by the clinician.

HeartFlow’s process starts with data from a standard, non-invasive cCTA. Leveraging deep learning, an advanced form of artificial intelligence, HeartFlow creates a personalised, 3D model of each patient’s arteries. Powerful computer algorithms then solve millions of complex equations to simulate blood flow and assess the impact of blockages in the arteries. With this actionable information, physicians can determine the right course of action for each patient.

“The HeartFlow FFRct Analysis provides a definitive understanding of both the anatomical and functional findings, without any additional testing or risk for patients,” said Dr. Joseph Mills, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. “Application of the HeartFlow FFRct Analysis is likely to transform the quality of care we can provide for patients, ensuring the most accurate diagnosis and the best treatment plan, as well reducing the need for invasive coronary angiography – a procedure not without its risks.”

Following some chest pain and increasing difficulty with exercise, John Roberts, 50 of Southport, took part in trial use of the technology. "I feel extremely lucky to have had access to the non-invasive HeartFlow FFRct Analysis. It’s given me a complete second chance - it showed my doctor that I needed a stent to address my blockage and help prevent a heart attack. I am so grateful that I was able to get the treatment that was right for me at the right time - it’s been absolutely life changing and I’m already back to doing my 10k runs. ”

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