Stony Brook Medicine advances cardiac care on Long Island with AI-powered HeartFlow Plaque Analysis

Stony Brook Medicine is leading the way in heart care on Long Island by using a new technology called HeartFlow Plaque Analysis™. This is a special AI tool that helps better diagnose and manage coronary artery disease. Thanks to teamwork from Stony Brook’s Division of Cardiology and Department of Radiology, this technology marks a big milestone in fighting heart disease, the top cause of death for adults in the US.

Early detection of heart disease

Coronary artery disease happens when cholesterol plaque builds up in arteries that bring blood to your heart. This buildup makes arteries narrow, slowing down blood flow and sometimes leading to serious problems like heart attacks. Because Long Island has higher than average rates of heart disease risk factors—like high blood pressure and cholesterol—it’s extra important to catch and treat this disease early.

By incorporating HeartFlow Plaque Analysis™ into its diagnostic process, Stony Brook Medicine is now able to detect and evaluate coronary artery disease (CAD) much earlier than was previously possible with traditional methods.

This cutting-edge technology enables physicians to closely examine the extent and characteristics of plaque buildup within the coronary arteries, offering a detailed and accurate understanding of a patient’s heart health. With this level of precision, doctors can develop highly personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique condition.

These customized approaches are designed not only to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events—such as heart attacks—but also to prevent potential complications and promote long-term heart health. Ultimately, this early and individualized intervention supports better patient outcomes and contributes to an improved overall quality of life.

AI advances in coronary artery disease diagnosis

Traditional tools for diagnosing coronary artery disease, like stress tests and regular CT scans, are helpful but have limits in showing how much plaque builds up in coronary arteries. These limits can lead to unclear results, causing uncertainty and possibly unnecessary invasive procedures like cardiac catheterization.

HeartFlow Plaque Analysis™ tackles these issues by using data from coronary CT angiography combined with advanced AI algorithms. This creates detailed, 3D models of the heart’s arteries, providing a clear map of plaque location and makeup. It allows doctors to measure blockages in the arteries more accurately than before with just non-invasive imaging.

Dr. Michael Park, a cardiologist at Stony Brook Medicine, explained the impact: “This AI technology offers a detailed look at coronary artery disease, giving us information not possible with standard cardiac CT. With this detail, we can personalize treatment plans to lower cardiovascular risk and improve quality of life.”

The AI insights help tell the difference between stable and risky plaques, which is crucial because certain plaques are more likely to rupture and cause heart attacks. Identifying these dangerous plaques early lets doctors start targeted treatments to reduce plaque and avoid heart attacks.

Dr. On Chen, Director of the Center for Advanced Lipid Management, emphasized the benefit: “As a cardiologist, I often see patients with untreated coronary artery disease leading to permanent damage. This technology helps by identifying plaque early, reducing unnecessary procedures, and improving community health.”

This detailed evaluation also lowers the need for invasive procedures that carry risks like bleeding and infection. HeartFlow Plaque Analysis™ offers a vital non-invasive tool for diagnosis and treatment planning.

The technology is especially helpful for those with unclear previous cardiac test results or chest pain with no clear diagnosis. People with risk factors like high blood pressure or a family history of heart attacks benefit from this detailed evaluation, as it helps detect disease progression early.

Comprehensive cardiac care with AI

The deployment of the technology is a key part of Stony Brook Heart Institute’s mission to improve heart care using the latest medical advancements. This involves preventing, diagnosing, and treating heart issues.

At the heart of Stony Brook University Hospital, the Heart Institute is Long Island’s top university-based heart care center. It combines the expertise of a team that includes cardiologists, surgeons, and many other specialists. These professionals work together to provide top-notch care in modern facilities that operate around the clock for heart procedures.

Beyond treating patients, the Heart Institute is dedicated to research and educating the next generation of healthcare providers. Their experts work on research projects to better understand heart diseases and develop new treatments.

Dr. Hal A. Skopicki, Co-Director of the Stony Brook Heart Institute, shared the importance of using AI technology. He said, “By using this cutting-edge AI technology at places like Commack, Stony Brook, and Riverhead, we are not only enhancing the quality of care, but we’re also ensuring better outcomes for our patients through early and precise intervention.”

The institute focuses on creating personalized treatment plans thanks to detailed diagnostic information. HeartFlow Plaque Analysis™ allows treatments to be tailored to each patient’s specific plaque situation, making medical care and procedures more effective.

The AI technology helps move cardiology towards personalized medicine. It gives doctors data-driven insights to help them make better decisions about medications, lifestyle changes, and necessary procedures.

Community impact and future directions

The implementation of HeartFlow Plaque Analysis™ is expected to have a considerable impact on public health outcomes across Long Island, a region challenged by a high incidence of heart disease risk factors.

Stony Brook Medicine is actively working to raise awareness of this diagnostic advancement among patients and healthcare providers. Community engagement efforts emphasize the importance of early detection and encourage patients to discuss the availability of HeartFlow Plaque Analysis™ with their physicians.

Dr. Chen stated, “We are committed to educating our community on how this technology can improve health and save lives through early detection and intervention.” By facilitating timely and accurate diagnosis, this tool has the potential to reduce the occurrence of heart attacks and other serious cardiovascular events.

Long Island residents with risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, or family history are urged to consider this diagnostic option. The technology’s non-invasive nature and enhanced diagnostic precision make it a valuable addition to routine cardiac evaluations.

Beyond immediate clinical benefits, the adoption of HeartFlow Plaque Analysis™ aligns with broader healthcare trends emphasizing the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve patient care. As AI integration continues to expand, diagnostic workflows across multiple medical specialties are expected to become more precise, efficient, and personalized.

This initiative at Stony Brook Medicine serves as a model for other healthcare providers, demonstrating how innovative technologies can be successfully integrated into standard clinical practice to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

The Heart Institute’s ongoing research efforts will likely explore additional applications of AI in cardiology, including predictive modeling of disease progression and optimization of treatment protocols. These advancements may further enhance the ability to prevent cardiovascular events and manage complex cases.

Final Thoughts

The introduction of HeartFlow Plaque Analysis™ signifies a transformative development in cardiac care on Long Island. By combining detailed CT imaging with AI-driven analysis, this technology enables earlier and more accurate diagnosis of coronary artery disease, guiding personalized treatment approaches that can improve patient outcomes and potentially save lives.

Patients and healthcare providers are encouraged to take advantage of this technology by scheduling consultations and incorporating AI-enhanced diagnostics into their cardiovascular care strategies. This step forward marks a new era in the fight against heart disease, providing the Long Island community with a powerful tool to combat the nation’s leading cause of death.