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Diagnostic precision

The Cardiolens FFR-CT Pro® method is based on the latest international scientific societies for non-invasive recommendations, fast, and accurate diagnostics of coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as ischemic heart disease (IHD), involves a number of symptoms caused by the considerable narrowing of the lumen of coronary arteries – the blood vessels that provide nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscle. This narrowing leads to an insufficient blood supply and oxygen deficiency in the heart muscle.

The disease manifests with chest pain or discomfort, and possible shortness of breath. Patients who present these symptoms should be referred for a diagnostic work-up for ischemic heart disease.

Sometimes, the first sign of CAD is myocardial infarction: intense chest pain, discomfort, and dyspnea that usually persists for over 20 minutes at rest and does not subside with the administration of nitroglycerine. These symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Want to know more?

  • What is coronary artery disease?
  • Who gets coronary artery disease?
  • What are the symptoms of coronary artery disease?

Diagnostics of stable coronary artery disease

Diagnosing stable coronary artery disease (i.e. when a myocardial infarction or stroke are not suspected) is a stepwise process:

Step 1

Medical and treatment history including risk factor analysis

Step 2

Physical examination (including auscultation of the heart and lungs)

Step 3

Additional tests listed below

Blood tests

Blood tests are recommended as part of the diagnostic work-up, including cholesterol and glucose levels as well as other essential laboratory assays.

Electrocardiogram

An ECG is a record of the electrical activity of the heart. It helps diagnose myocardial infarction, ischemia, and arrhythmias.

Stress test

A test performed on a treadmill under continuous ECG monitoring, used to evaluate myocardial ischemia. Currently, this is considered less effective than other functional tests and imaging methods (such as CT, scintigraphy etc.) in diagnosing ischemic heart disease.

Dobutamine stress echocardiogram

In lieu of exercise, medication is given to induce stress conditions, increasing the heart rate and blood pressure. Myocardial contractility is then examined by ultrasound to compare the pre- and post-medication status.

Echocardiogram

An ultrasound test to assess the size of cardiac chambers, valve status and cardiac function.

Coronary angiography

An invasive contrast-enhanced examination (requiring arterial puncture at the wrist or groin) which allows for visualizing coronary vessels and potential stenosis. The test can be extended to include additional invasive hemodynamic measurements (FFR or other) which drive patient qualification for stenting or further conservative treatment with appropriate medication.

Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

An imaging test where tracking the administered radioactive marker makes it possible to assess the level of myocardial ischemia.

Coronary computed tomography angiography

Contrast-enhanced CT imaging of the coronary arteries is an invasive procedure which helps visualize the coronary vessels and potential stenoses.

Non-invasive diagnostic test - Cardiolens FFR-CT Pro®

Non-invasive measurement of the fractional flow reserve

Hemolens Diagnostics has developed a non-invasive method of assessing the degree of coronary stenosis without resorting to the invasive procedures of coronary angiography and hemodynamic measurements.

Cardiolens FFR-CT Pro®

Our method is based on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and continuous non-invasive blood pressure (CNBP) monitoring. These inputs  makes it possible to generate quantitative and functional information from CCTA and CNBP data. The output of a 3D reconstruction of the coronary network and subsequent functional values (fractional flow reserve, FFR) can allow the overseeing physician to establish the status of coronary artery disease and plan the treatment or further diagnostic work-up. Cardiolens  FFR-CT Pro® diagnostic tools may reduce the necessity for invasive procedures such as coronary angiography when it may not be needed. This also reduces the risks associated with invasive procedures for patients that do not need these procedures.

CCTA – Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography
CNBP – Continuous Non-invasive Blood Pressure

Cardiolens FFR-CT Pro® Diagnostics

The Cardiolens FFR-CT Pro® diagnostics help the overseeing physician choose the best treatment strategy for select patients where it may not otherwise be clear. The 3D model displays FFR values across coronary arteries, allowing the overseeing physician to interpret whether stenosis significantly disturbs arterial blood flow. This makes it possible for the physician to make informed decisions about further treatment (medication or interventions such as stenting or bypass surgery).

Cardiolens FFR-CT Pro®

Diagnostic Test Cardiolens FFR-CT Pro® is applicable to patients who have not yet been diagnosed as well as to patients with established stable coronary artery disease in order to determine the optimal management plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you need to get diagnosed with Cardiolens FFR-CT Pro®?

In order to undergo the Cardiolens FFR-CT Pro® diagnostic process, you need to have coronary CT images of sufficient quality and continuous non-invasive blood pressure (CNBP) results.

Is Cardiolens FFR-CT Pro® suitable for all types of patients?

The procedure can be performed in all cases, provided that the CT record is of sufficient quality. To date, our experience is primarily based on patients with no history of stent implantation or bypass surgery and without massive calcification of the coronary artery walls.

Collaborating Sites

National Institute of Cardiology of Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński - National Research Institute

Military Clinical Hospital with a Polyclinic, Independent Public Healthcare Center in Wrocław

Dolnośląski Szpital Specjalistyczny im. T. Marciniaka - Emergency Medicine Center

Upper Silesian Medical Center Prof. Leszek Gieca of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice

University Clinical Center at the Medical University of Gdańsk

Krakow Specialist Hospital JPII

University Clinical Hospital Jana Mikulicza-Radeckiego

Polish-American Heart Clinics, Cardiovascular Center

Polish-American Heart Clinics, Cardiovascular Center

University Hospital in Cracow