At Venturi Cardiology in Manchester, we focus on providing quick and precise diagnostic services. We serve patients in Northwest England. If you are worried about coronary artery disease (CAD) or if your doctor thinks you might be at risk, we have services to help.
Our HeartFlow Plaque Assessment and HeartFlow FFRCT Assessment offer a new, non-invasive method. This helps you understand your heart health better.
This advanced technology uses images from a regular coronary CT angiogram (CCTA). It also uses strong artificial intelligence (AI) to make a detailed, personalised 3D model of your coronary arteries. This allows us to accurately assess plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) and understand its impact on blood flow to your heart.
HeartFlow Plaque Analysis has many benefits. It provides a more accurate assessment of coronary artery disease. This helps doctors make better treatment decisions. It may also help avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.
Are you experiencing symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath? Or do you have risk factors such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol? HeartFlow could be the key to understanding your condition and planning the most effective care.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease and a leading cause of heart attacks in the UK. It occurs when plaque – a substance made of cholesterol, calcium, and other materials – builds up inside your coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart. This buildup, known as atherosclerosis, can narrow the arteries, restricting blood flow and potentially leading to serious cardiac events.
Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for managing CAD effectively. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical advice.
HeartFlow analyses two powerful tools to give a clear picture of your coronary arteries:
This technology goes beyond simply detecting the presence of plaque. It helps us measure the total plaque volume in your arteries. We can also identify its type, like calcified or non-calcified plaque. Knowing how much plaque you have is important.
It helps assess your risk for events like acute coronary syndrome. This information also helps in planning your treatment. Clinical studies have shown that HeartFlow Plaque Analysis is very accurate. Researchers compare it to the invasive gold standard, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).
Fractional Flow Reserve computed tomography (FFRCT) analysis uses CCTA images. It applies advanced algorithms to find out how much a blockage limits blood flow to the heart muscle.
This FFRCT analysis helps find out if a narrowing is serious enough to cause issues. It provides accurate information that can guide treatment choices.
The HeartFlow process designers created it to be straightforward for patients while providing detailed information for their cardiologist.
Scan: First, you will have a standard, non-invasive Coronary CT Angiogram (CCTA). This is a specialised X-ray that takes detailed images of your heart and coronary arteries.
Measure: If your CCTA scan shows narrowing or plaque in your coronary arteries, we may order a HeartFlow Analysis. A HeartFlow Analysis uses AI to create a 3D model from CCTA scans, assessing plaque and blood flow impact.
Act: We will discuss the detailed HeartFlow report with you. With this information, including details about blood clot risks from certain plaque types, you and your doctor can choose the best treatment for you. This might include lifestyle changes, medication, or, if necessary, consideration for procedures like stenting or bypass surgery.
Choosing HeartFlow Analysis at Venturi Cardiology offers significant benefits for both patients and referring physicians:
Accurate Diagnosis: Get a clear understanding of your specific coronary artery condition and risk.
Non-Invasive: Avoids the risks and discomfort associated with invasive diagnostic procedures.
Personalised Treatment: This helps your cardiologist create a treatment plan just for you.
Peace of Mind: Provides clear, visual information about your heart health.
Support Decisions: Allows you to participate more actively in decisions about your care.
Diagnostic Confidence: Offers superior diagnostic performance.
Improved Risk Stratification: Accurately identifies patients who may benefit from further intervention.
Treatment Planning: Provides data to guide decisions on revascularisation versus medical management.
Potential to Reduce Unnecessary Invasive Tests: Assists in making sure invasive angiography is used for those who will benefit most.
HeartFlow Analysis may be suitable for you:
You have symptoms of CAD, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or unexplained fatigue.You have risk factors for heart disease. These include a family history of CAD, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or smoking. You have had a Coronary CT Angiogram (CCTA) that shows plaque or narrowing in your coronary arteries. Your doctor wants more detailed information about your coronary arteries to decide on the best course of treatment.
It's important to discuss with your cardiologist whether HeartFlow Analysis is the right next step for you. A CCTA scan is needed before a HeartFlow Analysis. Your specialist usually orders this scan.
Book an appointmentView our other treatmentsThe HeartFlow technology isn’t just innovative; researchers back it with clinical evidence. Many studies have shown that it accurately detects serious blockages in coronary arteries. Its accuracy is often similar to invasive FFR, which is the gold standard for measuring blood flow. However, it does this without needing an invasive procedure.
HeartFlow Plaque Analysis has shown accuracy as high as 95% when compared to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for quantifying plaque.
HeartFlow's insights often lead to changes in a patient's care. This helps create more personalised and effective treatment plans.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) in the UK supports its use for some patient groups. This shows its clinical value and potential to save costs.
At Venturi Cardiology, we prioritise evidence-based medicine, and HeartFlow aligns with our commitment to offering the most advanced and reliable diagnostic tools.
As a private clinic, the cost of HeartFlow FFRCT and Plaque Assessment will be part of your overall diagnosis. We suggest talking to our team. They can give you detailed information about the fees for consultations, CCTA scans, and the HeartFlow analysis process. We can also guide you on whether your private medical insurance may cover the procedures.
“HeartFlow Analysis showed me a visual of my heart’s blood flow and blockages inside my arteries. It was clear that this was an issue I needed to take care of. Without HeartFlow, I’m not sure I’d be standing here today.”
– HeartFlow Patient
Plaque Analysis quantifies and characterises the amount and type of plaque in your arteries. FFRCT assesses whether these plaques are significantly obstructing blood flow. Venturi Cardiology can utilise both for a complete picture.
No. HeartFlow Analysis itself is a data analysis process performed on images from a non-invasive CCTA scan. The CCTA scan needs a healthcare provider to inject contrast dye. However, experts do not see it as an invasive surgery.
The CCTA scan itself is quick. Once the scan data reaches HeartFlow, the team typically takes a few hours to analyse it and generate the report. Your cardiologist will then schedule a follow-up to discuss the results.
Yes, a specialist orders a CCTA scan, and HeartFlow Analysis uses the findings from that scan. You will need to meet with one of our cardiologists. They will decide if a CCTA and HeartFlow Analysis are right for you. We also accept referrals from GPS and other specialists.
HeartFlow gives a clearer and more complete look at plaque buildup and blood flow issues than many standard tests, like stress tests. It offers diagnostic accuracy that can help avoid unnecessary invasive diagnostic angiograms for some patients.
If you have medical insurance you would need to contact your insurer to pre-authorise any appointments with us. We are more than happy to help answer any questions you may have regarding insurance cover, please get in touch on 01925 748245 to speak to one of the Venturi team.
Contact us on 01925 748 245 or email us at hello@venturicardiology.com
Ask Your Doctor if HeartFlow Analysis at Venturi Cardiology is Right for You.
Book a Consultation: Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert cardiologists in Manchester.
Enquire Online: Fill out our contact form to learn more about HeartFlow analysis at Venturi Cardiology. Find out how to check for plaque in the heart using advanced diagnostics.
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4 The Square
Birchwood Boulevard
WA3 7QY
Our state-of-the-art clinic is situated in the heart of the North West, within easy reach of, Merseyside, Manchester, Liverpool, Lancashire and Cheshire.
