AI-powered heart scans speed up diagnosis and save millions

Key Takeaways:

• AI-powered HeartFlow analysis has reduced unnecessary invasive heart tests by up to 16% and cut follow-up testing by 12%, enhancing patient care and NHS efficiency.
• Since 2021, the tool has been used across 56 hospitals in England, saving the NHS an estimated £9.5 million and benefiting over 24,300 patients.
• The technology transforms CT scans into personalised 3D heart images, enabling faster, more accurate diagnoses and allowing many patients to avoid invasive procedures.

A ground-breaking artificial intelligence (AI) tool that streamlines the diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD) has saved the NHS millions of pounds, while also reducing the need for invasive procedures, according to new research.

How the Technology Works

The HeartFlow technology, introduced in 56 hospitals across England since 2021, uses AI to convert a standard computed tomography (CT) scan into a personalised three-dimensional image of a person’s coronary arteries. This detailed model allows clinicians to diagnose and manage suspected heart disease more quickly and with greater precision.

Key Findings from the Study

A major study published in Nature Medicine on 4 April 2025 has demonstrated the tool’s substantial impact. Researchers found that the use of HeartFlow reduced the need for invasive coronary angiograms by 16% in instances where no further treatment was necessary, and by 7% overall. Additionally, the number of follow-up heart tests required within two years fell by 12%.

Dr Vin Diwakar, National Director of Transformation at NHS England, praised the findings:

“It is fantastic to see that these revolutionary AI-driven 3D heart scans, supported by NHSE, are transforming cardiac care by significantly reducing the need for invasive tests, speeding up diagnoses, conserving NHS resources, and enabling clinicians to advise patients on the best treatment for their condition.”

Study Scope and Impact

The research, funded by the Medical Research Council, tracked the outcomes of 90,000 NHS patients between 2017 and 2020. Nearly 8,000 of these patients underwent HeartFlow analysis. The results indicated that personalised imaging not only reduced unnecessary and potentially risky procedures, but also improved diagnostic accuracy, thereby increasing the number of people receiving timely treatment for heart disease.

Dr Timothy Fairbairn, lead clinician on the study and Consultant Cardiologist at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, explained:

“These results show that this technology reduces the need for tests so that patients only undergo necessary treatments, demonstrating how AI technology can both improve care as well as increase efficiency in the NHS.

The nationwide study, funded by the Medical Research Council, also showed that the huge benefits of this tool can be felt by all patients equally, no matter where they live.”

Financial and Clinical Benefits

The NHS estimates that more than 24,300 patients have benefited from the technology since its rollout, saving approximately £9.5 million to date—an average saving of around £390 per patient.

Coronary heart disease remains the most prevalent form of cardiovascular disease, affecting approximately 2.3 million people in England. Traditionally, individuals with suspected CHD would undergo a CT scan, and if narrowing or blockage of a coronary artery was suspected, they were often referred for an invasive coronary angiogram to confirm the diagnosis.

Improving Patient Care and Personalisation

HeartFlow allows many individuals to be managed through medication and lifestyle interventions, with invasive procedures recommended only if surgery or stent placement may be necessary. The AI tool can also advise on the optimal size and positioning of a stent for each person, further personalising treatment.

Supporting Equitable Access to Innovation

The deployment of HeartFlow was supported by NHS England through the MedTech Funding Mandate programme. This initiative is designed to fast-track the adoption of clinically effective and cost-saving medical technologies, ensuring that both patients and the healthcare system benefit swiftly and equitably.