Skilled cardiologists are using software, which merges existing Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) with the power of AI for enhanced visualisation.

This allows for quicker and more accurate decision making during planned percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures to treat coronary artery disease.

Using both tools together gives cardiologists a comprehensive view inside patients’ heart arteries, helping them to determine the best treatment for arterial calcification.

The Ultreon 1.0 Software improves the speed of procedures, using infrared lasers and AI to measure how much of the artery is diseased and the size of stent required.

Combined, this helps ensure that stents are more accurately fitted – leading to improved long term outcomes for heart patients.

Consultant Interventional Cardiologist Dr Stuart Watkins said: “As people get older they can develop hardening of the heart arteries due to calcification.

“This makes treating the arteries difficult for cardiologists because calcium is very hard and it can limit the expansion of our stents.

“It’s very important to identify calcification in the heart arteries, which isn’t always apparent from doing a basic coronary angiogram.

“OCT gives us extremely detailed pictures within the arteries so that we can pick up calcification and determine the best treatment strategy before we put stents in.

“Ultreon helps us quickly measure how much of the artery is diseased and what size of stent you have to put in, without taking too much time to do it.”

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The technology was created by global healthcare company Abbott.

Jonathan Wood, General Manager, North Europe at Abbott, said: “We’re really excited to have this software at one of Scotland’s leading centres for patients with heart conditions.

“Our Ultreon 1.0 Software aims to improve both the physician and patient experience through a systematic process that reduces variability and increases accuracy of diagnosis.

“When increased adoption of OCT imaging combines with advanced technology like AI, it allows cardiologists to support coronary stent patients in a more precise and measurable way.”

NHS Golden Jubilee Medical Director Dr Mark MacGregor added: “This new technology is an excellent advancement in treating coronary heart disease.

“As well as allowing for far more detailed imaging before carrying out vital treatment for patients, this software allows for more efficient procedures, and the potential for significantly improved long term outcomes.

“We are delighted to now be offering this to patients across Scotland, and look forward to more exciting innovations to come.”

Join the Conversation: Digital Transformation 2021 Summit

The use of artificial intelligence will be a key theme at the upcoming Digital Transformation Summit on 28th October.

Now in its sixth year, the Summit has established itself as Scotland’s largest annual conference focussed on digitalisation and organisational change.

For more information on how to register a free place visit: https://www.digifutures.co.uk/