Saint Thomas Heart First to Bring HeartFlow Technology to Tennessee

Ascension Saint Thomas is the first healthcare system in Tennessee to implement HeartFlow Analysis, a non-invasive technology that converts data from CT scans into 3D models of the coronary arteries. HeartFlow technology identifies plaque formation and blockages to gauge arterial health—reducing reliance on higher-cost procedures like heart catheterization that carry risk for infection, bleeding, or even heart attack. Since adopting HeartFlow technology in February 2019, Ascension Saint Thomas Heart has performed this analysis on more than 30 individuals. Ascension is the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health system.

“By applying advanced features like artificial intelligence and machine learning to patients at Saint Thomas Heart, we’re bringing a bit of Silicon Valley to Nashville and the healthcare space. We are so excited to offer this novel technology for comprehensive, non-invasive coronary artery disease assessment,” said Dr. Andrew O. Zurick III, Medical Director of Cardiovascular MRI & CT, Saint Thomas Heart.

So far this year, Saint Thomas Heart has used the technology on individuals ranging from ages 30-81—many of whom have been able to avoid the catheterization lab altogether. When catheterization was deemed the appropriate next step, the process was more time-efficient and treatment was better targeted.

The ideal candidate for HeartFlow analysis is at low or moderate risk for coronary artery disease because of health profile, family history, or symptoms like unexplained chest pain. The CT scan results are offered in real-time, HeartFlow analysis takes one additional business day for processing, and the 3D model and accompanying data are then delivered through a high-security interface. HeartFlow, Inc., the California-based company behind this technology, was founded in 1995 and has spent years fine-tuning its image-modeling and analysis technology.