Speakers and Panelists: Irfan Shafique, MD and Moderator | Armin Zadeh, MD, MSCCT | Michael Blaha, MD, MPH | Dinesh Kalra, MD, FSCCT | Mary-Pierre Waiss, Vice President Market Development | Sponsored by Keya Medical
Key Highlights
1. AI in Cardiac Imaging Advancements
The session opened with Dr. Irfan Shafique leading a discussion on cutting-edge advancements in cardiac imaging, particularly AI’s role in coronary CT angiography (CCTA). With AI now enabling faster image reconstruction, lower radiation exposure, and enhanced plaque characterization, the field is entering a new era of precision.
A major highlight was the discussion around DeepVessel FFR, Keya Medical’s non-invasive, AI-powered CT-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) solution. Designed to support clinicians in assessing lesion-specific ischemia, DeepVessel FFR offers an accurate, fast, and cost-effective alternative to invasive FFR. Dr. Shafique emphasized its role as a critical gatekeeper tool, helping to reduce unnecessary catheterizations and streamline care pathways.
In addition, the webinar touched on emerging AI-derived markers such as perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI) and how they contribute to individualized risk stratification.
2. Managing Stable Coronary Disease
Dr. Armin Zadeh turned the focus toward stable CAD, emphasizing comprehensive risk factor control—including LDL cholesterol, hypertension, and lifestyle modifications—as foundational strategies for improving event-free survival. The panelists discussed how AI can help identify high-risk phenotypes among stable patients, enabling early therapy intensification.
3. CT as the First-Line Test
Across the board, the panel agreed: CCTA should be the first-line diagnostic test in evaluating suspected CAD. Compared to traditional stress testing, CCTA provides a more direct view of plaque burden and vessel morphology, which correlates more strongly with outcomes.
AI-based tools like DeepVessel Plaque—Keya Medical’s forthcoming solution for automated plaque analysis—were highlighted as game-changers. With AI-driven quantification of non-calcified and calcified plaque components, DeepVessel Plaque will support better clinical decision-making and risk prediction.
4. AI in Coronary Calcium Scoring
Dr. Michael Blaha discussed how AI is elevating coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring beyond traditional approaches. He presented examples where AI could detect nuances in calcium morphology and distribution that are often overlooked, especially in patients with low or borderline CAC scores. These capabilities could sharpen preventive strategies and refine treatment decisions.
5. Integrated AI-Based Workflow: Stenosis, FFR, and Plaque
Dr. Dinesh Kalra presented the CardiSight workflow, a complete AI suite from Keya Medical that integrates CCTA interpretation with DeepVessel FFR and DeepVessel Plaque analysis. By combining AI-based stenosis detection, lesion-specific ischemia (via DeepVessel FFR), and precise plaque burden quantification, this workflow empowers clinicians with a comprehensive understanding of coronary pathology in one streamlined platform.
He emphasized the growing evidence supporting plaque characterization as an essential factor in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and how AI tools can bring these insights into everyday practice.
6. AI’s Impact on Coronary CT Workflow
In the closing Q&A, the panel discussed AI’s broader influence on imaging workflows. The consensus: AI boosts efficiency, enhances diagnostic confidence, and helps standardize reporting. At the same time, panelists noted that long-term, multi-center validation studies are crucial for confirming performance across diverse scanner types and patient populations.
Takeaways for Clinicians
- Prioritize optimal medical therapy targets in CAD management, including LDL, BP, smoking cessation, and aspirin use.
- Choose CCTA as the preferred first-line imaging for evaluating suspected coronary disease.
- Leverage AI-based FFRCT tools like DeepVessel FFR to assess ischemia and guide revascularization decisions, especially in intermediate stenosis (40–90%).
- Incorporate AI-powered plaque analysis tools such as the forthcoming DeepVessel Plaque into your clinical toolkit for refined risk assessment.
- Apply AI-assisted calcium scoring on gated and non-gated chest CTs to uncover subclinical disease, even in statin-treated patients.
- Support ongoing research aimed at validating the long-term clinical impact of AI-enabled diagnostics.
About DEEPVESSEL FFR
DEEPVESSEL FFR is a software medical device that uses deep learning technology to perform a non-invasive physiological functional assessment of the coronary arteries using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The software processes coronary CTA images semi-automatically, generates a three-dimensional model of the coronary artery tree, and estimates CT FFR values. DEEPVESSEL FFR is FDA-Cleared, CE-Marked, NMPA-Cleared, HSA-Certified.
About Keya Medical
Keya Medical is an international medical technology company developing deep learning-based medical devices for disease diagnosis and treatment. The company is committed to creating solutions that deliver clinical value at all stages in the patient care process, covering specialties including cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, pathology, and surgery. Keya Medical has four centers of excellence in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Seattle. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Media Contact
contact@keyamedna.com
Learn more about DEEPVESSEL FFR
We are actively looking for clinical partners in the United States and EMEA.