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The CathWorks FFRangio® System uses AI and computational
science to visualize a patient’s coronary arteries
Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber (CSSMCW) 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.
Samir Hadeed, MD, Medical Director of CSSMCW’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab) along with the Cardiac Cath Lab staff 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. Hadeed said.
CathWorks is another example of how AI is becoming more integrated into medical technology.
“It’s 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. Hadeed continued.
The Cath Lab was able to integrate the FFRangio System over a period of a few months. In April, representatives from CathWorks and Medtronic supported the Cath Lab team on site as it began to use the technology on patients.
Thanks to collaboration, forward thinking, and an ongoing commitment to delivering quality patient care, CSSMCW is grateful for the ability to use FFRangio System to better serve our patients and our community.
Pictured L to R: The Cardiac Cath Lab team celebrates their first FFRangio case! Stephanie Bosak, RT; Secretary Brenda Spinelli; Samantha Rhoades, RT; Keisha Williams, RN; Jaylene Simanski, RN; Cath Lab Manager Shannon Vitovich; Deborah Boyer, RN; Cath Lab Medical Director Samir Hadeed, MD; Randi Keim-Smith, RT; Medtronic Principal Clinical Specialist in Coronary and Renal Denervation Colleen Kodman; and CathWorks Senior Physician Trainer Capers Warren.
About Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber
Founded in 1906, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber (CSSMCW) is an independent, non-profit acute care hospital in northern Somerset County, bordering Cambria County. The 54-bed hospital shares a campus and collaborates with Chan Soon-Shiong Institute of Molecular Medicine at Windber (CSSIMMW), a private, non-profit biomedical research center. With more than 450 employees, CSSMCW is the fourth largest employer in Somerset County. CSSMCW’s mission is to provide excellence in personalized, quality health care services through innovation, research and education in response to community needs. For more information visit www.windbercare.org.