The CathWorks FFRangio® System uses AI and computational science to visualize a patient’s coronary arteries

Ellis Hospital has adopted revolutionary diagnostic technology that provides clinicians physiology results in just a few minutes while improving the patient experience.

The CathWorks FFRangio® System is a computer-based technology that uses routine angiograms of a patient’s heart to create a 3D model showing the location and degree of any blockages in their coronary arteries.

What is different from traditional fractional flow reserve?

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a diagnostic measurement that evaluates the physiologic impact of coronary artery tightening, making it an important part of the decision-making process when managing patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). While FFR is an important diagnostic tool supported by strong clinical evidence, the nature of measuring traditional FFR requires invasive pressure wires and drug stimulation which has resulted in its underutilization.1

In contrast to traditional FFR, the FFRangio System combines artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computational science to obtain quick and reliable FFRangio values from routine angiograms (X-rays), eliminating the need for drug stimulation and invasive pressure wires. It provides physicians with quick and reliable intraprocedural FFRangio values for the entire coronary of coronary arteries.

What does this mean for patients?

With this new tool, our interventional cardiologists can perform their clinical assessment quicker, more comprehensively, without medications, and in a way that is more comfortable for the patient. Our nurses are able to discharge patients faster and have increased capacity to care for others.

Last September, Medtronic, approached our award-winning Cath Lab with the opportunity to adopt the CathWorks FFRangio® System.

Dr. Aakash Garg, Dr. Parag Parikh and the entire Cath Lab team at Ellis Hospital became the champions for the system.

“I knew the investment in this cutting-edge technology would benefit not only our patients, but our colleagues and organization as a whole in terms of patient flow,” Dr. Garg said.

CathWorks is another example of how AI is becoming more integrated into medical technology. “It’s super exciting how it’s (AI) continuing to improve how we care for patients. The FFRangio System allows us to be less invasive, yet still answer critical health questions,” Dr. Garg says.