Canadian Healthcare Technology Logo
  • Issues
    • Current Print Issue
    • Print Archive
  • Advertise
    • Publishing Schedule
    • Circulation
    • Unit Sizes and Rates
    • Mechanical Requirements
    • Electronic Advertising
    • White Papers
  • Subscribe
    • Print Edition
    • e-Messenger
    • White Papers
  • Events
  • Vendors
  • About Us

Philips

AGFA 1400x150

Petal Health

Petal Health 1400x150

Artificial intelligence

How to reduce unnecessary angiograms using AI

July 13, 2022


Dr JD SchwalmHAMILTON, Ont. – Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. The most common type is coronary artery disease (CAD), which occurs when the vessels that supply blood to the heart get narrowed, clogged or completely blocked by plaque – deposits of cholesterol, fats and other substances.

A test called an invasive coronary angiography is the current gold standard for diagnosing CAD. During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the blood vessels through the patient’s groin or arm as a route to the heart. Then, a special dye that’s detected by X-ray is released into the bloodstream. This allows doctors to see how the blood is flowing and identify any blockages.

Every medical test carries some level of risk. Globally, more than 50 per cent of patients who receive an angiography will have a normal test, showing their heart disease is not due to a blockage. This means these patients are exposed to unnecessary procedural risks. Plus, an angiography is a costly procedure that requires a highly skilled team.

To address this challenge, Dr. J.D. Schwalm (pictured), interventional cardiologist at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), and director of the HHS Centre for Evidence-Based Implementation, created and led a research trial.

“About 90 percent of patients referred for angiography have an appropriate referral based on clinical guidelines,” says Schwalm. “The problem is that our ability to determine which patients are best served by this test is poor and leads to a high rate of normal results, and potentially unnecessary procedures.”

The study looked at using a non-invasive imaging test called a coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) instead of an angiography. When provided to the right people, the CCTA is a lower risk, highly accurate test that costs less.

Radiation and X-ray dye-related risks are still present, but the procedural risks are eliminated. Study results showed that this approach could successfully reduce the number of angiographies by 76 percent.

“The hardest part of the study was that we used an archaic system to pull out the right patients for CCTA. It was a labour-intensive process for the triage staff and cardiologists,” says Schwalm. “In practice, it’s not ideal.”

Bringing solutions to real-world healthcare challenges is where collaboration between HHS’ CentRE for dAta science and digiTal hEalth (CREATE) and Centre for Evidence-Based Implementation come into play.

With funding from the trial, the team evaluated 10 years’ worth of patient data. Then, using artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning models, the CREATE team analyzed the data and determined the predictors of a normal angiography, thus determining which patients would and wouldn’t benefit from the procedure. The AI model provided a better prediction than existing clinical prediction scores and algorithms.

“We look forward to integrating the AI machine learning model into a decision support software tool that can be used by the referring physician or in the cardiac catheterization lab,” says Schwalm. “This will help reduce the number of unnecessary angiograms, reduce health system costs and help ensure that patients receive the best test based on their risk for coronary artery disease.”

PreviousNext

CHT print

CHT print

e-Messenger

  • Carney appoints new health minister, AI chief
  • NS delays start of provincial EHR system
  • New associate CEO of CIUSSS-West-Central Montreal
  • Medic Alert bracelets will connect to EHRs
  • Mount Sinai deploys system for partial knee replacement
More from e-Messenger

Subscribe

Subscribe

Weekly blasts are sent each month, via e-mail, to over 7,000 senior managers and executives in hospitals, clinics and health regions. Learn More

Infoway

Infoway

Zebra

Zebra

Zebra

Zebra

Advertise with us

Advertise with us

Sectra KLAS

Sectra KLAS

Stratford Group

Stratford Group

Pure Storage

Pure Storage

Medirex

Medirex

NIHI

NIHI

CHT print

CHT print

Advertise with us

Advertise with us

Sectra KLAS

Sectra KLAS

Stratford Group

Stratford Group

Pure Storage

Pure Storage

Medirex

Medirex

NIHI

NIHI

Contact Us

Canadian Healthcare Technology
1118 Centre Street, Suite 204
Thornhill, Ontario, Canada L4J 7R9
Tel: 905-709-2330
Fax: 905-709-2258
info2@canhealth.com

  • Quick Links
    • Current Print Issue
    • Print Archive
    • Events
    • Vendors
    • About Us
  • Advertise
    • Publishing Schedule
    • Circulation
    • Unit Sizes and Rates
    • Mechanical Requirements
    • Electronic Advertising
    • White Papers
  • Subscribe
    • Print Edition
    • e-Messenger
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • White Papers
    • Writers’ Guidelines
    • Privacy Policy
  • Topics
    • Administrative Solutions
    • Clinical Solutions
    • Companies
    • Continuing Care
    • Diagnostics
    • Education & Training
  •  
    • Electronic Records
    • Government & Policy
    • Infrastructure
    • Innovation
    • People
    • Privacy and Security

© 2025 Canadian Healthcare Technology

The content of Canadian Healthcare Technology is subject to copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Send all requests for permission to Jerry Zeidenberg, Publisher.

Search Site

Error: Enter a search term

  • Issues
    • Current Print Issue
    • Print Archive
  • Advertise
    • Publishing Schedule
    • Circulation
    • Unit Sizes and Rates
    • Mechanical Requirements
    • Electronic Advertising
    • White Papers
  • Subscribe
    • Print Edition
    • e-Messenger
    • White Papers
  • Events
  • Vendors
  • About Us