Santa Cruz, Calif. (February 28, 2025) – Dignity Health Dominican Hospital now offers a proven, non-invasive diagnostic option for individuals with suspected heart disease. Using CT images along with CT-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT), HeartFlow Analysis helps diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD). Trained analysts and AI algorithms create a detailed anatomical model of the patient’s heart, enabling physicians to visualize blood flow and detect stenosis, or plaque obstructing the coronary arteries. 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among adults in the United States, with coronary artery disease being the most common type, affecting nearly half of the adult population. CAD occurs when arteries supplying blood to the heart narrow or become blocked, reducing blood flow to the organ. This can lead to chest pain, heart attacks and even death. Accurately iIdentifying the location and extent of artery blockages is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan and determining whether intervention is needed.  

“This new tool revolutionizes the approach to heart care by providing critical information that can help us determine the best treatment plan for each patient through a convenient, non-invasive platform,” shares Dr. Charnjeet Sandu, Interventional Cardiologist, Dominican Hospital. “This innovation underscores Dignity Health’s commitment to prioritizing patients by investing in advanced technologies that enhance care, improve outcomes, and ensure overall well-being.”

This advanced tool enables a more accurate, non-invasive diagnosis, significantly reducing false negatives and positives compared to traditional testing for coronary artery disease. It also minimizes unnecessary tests, improving the patient experience by cutting invasive catheterization procedures by 75% and reducing the need for initial diagnostic tests. Additionally, it boosts confidence in treatment decisions, being 75% more likely to identify patients who require intervention.

####

About Dignity Health

Dignity Health is a multi-state nonprofit network of 10,000 physicians, more than 60,000 employees, 39 acute care hospitals, and 400-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Dignity Health is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Dignity Health is a part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit health system committed to advancing health for all people and dedicated to serving the common good. For more information, please visit our website at www.DignityHealth.org.