A novel approach to performing heart bypass surgery has proved to be successful in its initial clinical trial. The study known as FAST TRACK CABG, spearheaded by a team of researchers at the University of Galway, Ireland was conducted under the supervision of the University’s CORRIB Research Centre for Advanced Imaging and Core Lab.
A heart bypass surgery is typically performed to create a new path for blood to flow around a blocked or partially blocked artery in the heart.
The study introduced a non-invasive concept by using high-resolution cardiovascular imagery and AI-powered blood flow analysis to guide surgical decisions, enhancing patient care while potentially decreasing the reliance on invasive methods.
The trial was conducted across leading cardiac care hospitals in Europe and the US and involved 114 patients having severe blockages in multiple-vessels.
The technique solely relied on non-invasive cardiac CT scan images, enhanced by HeartFlow's AI-powered blood flow analysis of the patient's coronary arteries.
The trial, published in the European Heart Journal, demonstrated a remarkable 99.1% feasibility rate driven by good diagnostic accuracy of the cardiac CT scan and AI-powered blood flow analysis. The trial reportedly showed similar outcomes to those patients who underwent traditional invasive angiogram investigations which involved inserting a catheter through an artery to access diseased arteries and the use of dyes to visualize blockages.
“It may become a game-changer, altering the traditional relationship between GP, radiologist, cardiologist and cardio-thoracic surgeon for the benefit of the patient. “
Dr.Yonshi Onuma
Trial chairman Prof. Patrick W. Serruys stressed the potential of this approach to simplify planning for patients undergoing heart bypass surgery.
Dr. Yoshi Onuma, the medical director of CORRIB Research Centre, highlighted that patient comfort and healthcare cost reduction were some reasons to consider minimizing invasive procedures. “It may become a game-changer, altering the traditional relationship between GP, radiologist, cardiologist and cardio-thoracic surgeon for the benefit of the patient," said Dr Yoshi Onuma.
Looking forward, the research team plans to undertake a large-scale randomized trial encompassing over 2,500 patients from 80 hospitals across Europe, to further validate the advantages of this non-invasive methodology.
(Input from various resources)
(Rehash/Dr. Vineesha V)
