Follow the progress of Hemolens Diagnostics
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Follow the progress of Hemolens Diagnostics
August 28, 2025
Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has rapidly progressed from being a purely diagnostic modality to becoming a fundamental tool in guiding treatment strategies for coronary artery disease. While the latest ESC guidelines continue to emphasize its role as a first-line test for patients with low or intermediate risk. Furthermore, the new American guidelines position CCTA in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes. Recent clinical practice shows its growing importance in high-risk cases as well – thanks to significant advances in image quality, diagnostic accuracy, and its direct relevance for procedural planning.
Reflecting this shift, the recent webinar “From CT Angiography to Planning Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: A Modern Approach to Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosis” inaugurated a new series of expert-led online meetings.
The next webinar will be led by Prof. Cezary Kępka and Prof. Mariusz Kruk from the National Institute of Cardiology.
Sign up here: What Your Cardiac CT Images Aren’t Telling You (Yet)
The webinar highlighted the transition of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) from a purely diagnostic method to a cornerstone in planning percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). This transformation is a result of continued improvement in CT scanner resolution, contrast safety, and the cumulative expertise of interpreting clinicians.
Webinar host, Michał Stachowiak, Clinical Education Manager at Hemolens Diagnostics®, emphasized that high-quality CCTA is now performed not only in academic centers but also in county-level hospitals equipped with modern imaging hardware.
CCTA is a non-invasive, outpatient imaging method that typically takes 10–15 minutes. The examination is considered safe due to the evolution of contrast agents, making adverse reactions rare. Adequate patient preparation — particularly training in breath-holding during acquisition — is critical for obtaining optimal image quality.
Modern scanners achieve slice thickness as low as 0.6 mm in standard configurations, and down to 0.2 mm with photon-counting technology. This level of resolution allows not just lumen visualization but also detailed analysis of atherosclerotic plaque structure, myocardial tissue, valves, and the mediastinum. One dataset can produce reconstructions with a narrow field of view (focusing on cardiac structures) or wider coverage to detect incidental extracardiac pathologies that may clinically mimic cardiac disease.
CCTA can be used to visualize the morphology of stenoses, assess plaque characteristics, evaluate vessel ostia, and anticipate procedural challenges before catheterization. Functional mapping and virtual PCI planning enable simulation of complex lesions to determine which are hemodynamically most significant. This capability helps reduce unnecessary invasive diagnostics and supports precise procedure preparation.
In the session, examples were shown where pre-procedural CT analysis could potentially support:
The presenter introduced the Cardiolens® Platform and its central component (in the process of certification), the Cardiolens Viewer® — a browser-based application allowing access to 3D CCTA datasets without the need for dedicated workstations or restrictive licensing.
The Viewer provides Multi-Planar Reconstruction (MPR) in axial, sagittal, and coronal planes; interactive 3D vessel models; simulated angiographic projections; and direct measurement tools for lumen diameter and stenosis quantification. Reports can be generated, including annotated images and procedural planning notes.
The platform’s AI processing pipeline receives DICOM data via PACS, secure upload, or physical media, and performs:
The presenter outlined essential acquisition standards to ensure high-quality input data for the platform:
A live case walkthrough demonstrated multi-vessel disease with significant right coronary artery stenosis (~80%) and high-risk plaque morphology. Using the Viewer, the operator:
The final structured report included stenosis measurements, optimal angiographic projection suggestions, and anatomical references to aid the interventional team. According to the speaker, such preparation can reduce intraoperative variability and unexpected technical difficulties.
Participants queried the applicability of the platform for medical education, and the presenter noted its use potential for training students and residents. Questions also addressed extension to other vascular territories (e.g., carotid and peripheral arteries) and future integration with augmented reality for intra-procedural guidance — both recognized as possible development directions, though the current priority remains coronary imaging.
This webinar demonstrated how CCTA, enhanced by structured analysis tools such as the Cardiolens Viewer®, can support precise anatomical assessment, lesion characterization, and procedural planning for PCI. By combining high-quality image acquisition, AI-driven vessel and plaque localizations, and interactive measurement tools, clinicians can prepare interventions with a detailed understanding of coronary anatomy before entering the catheterization lab.
Hemolens Diagnostics® is a MedTech company specializing in the development and delivery of state-of-the-art technologies for personalized, non-invasive coronary artery disease diagnostics. The mission is to reduce the reliance on invasive procedures and enhance the effectiveness of cardiovascular care.
Sources:
ESC Guidelines for the management of chronic coronary syndromes
National Institute of Cardiology – National Research Institute
