A team at University of Galway has been involved in a successful clinical trial in relation to coronary artery disease and blockages which has been described as monumental.
The trial focused on a new approach to heart bypass surgery which would avoid the need for invasive angiography which involves inserting a catheter through an artery in the wrist or groin to access diseased arteries and using dye to visualise blockages.
The research team in Galway coordinated the trial, the FAST TRACK CABG study, which saw surgeons plan and carry out coronary artery bypass grafting based solely on non-invasive cardiac-CT scan images, with HeartFlow's AI-powered blood flow analysis of the patient’s coronary arteries.
The study was carried out in leading cardiac care hospitals in Europe and the US and involved 114 patients who had severe blockages in multiple vessels, limiting blood flow to their heart.
The results of the trial were similar to outcomes in recent surgical groups of patients who underwent conventional invasive angiogram investigations according to University of Galway.
Chairman of the trial, Professor Patrick W Serruys, Established Professor of Interventional Medicine and Innovation at University of Galway, said "the results of this trial have the potential to simplify the planning for patients undergoing heart bypass surgery.
"The trial and the central role played by the CORRIB Core Lab puts University of Galway on the frontline of cardiovascular diagnosis, planning and treatment of coronary artery disease."
Prof Serruys added the potential for surgeons to address even the most intricate cases of coronary artery disease using only a non-invasive CT scan, and FFRCT represents a monumental shift in healthcare.
"This approach not only alleviates the diagnostic burden in cath labs but also paves the way for transforming them into dedicated 'interventional suites’ - ultimately enhancing patient workflows," he said.
Minimising the use of catherisation in order to diagnose patients was important for multiple reasons, according to Dr Yoshi Onuma, Professor of Interventional Cardiology at University of Galway and the medical director of Corrib Research Centre.
"A catheterisation procedure is invasive, and it is unpleasant for the patient. It is also costly for the health service. While there is a minimal risk associated with the procedure, it is not entirely risk free," Dr Onuma said.
He added: "CT scan analysis, FFRCT, and guidance from the team in Galway is a world first in bypass surgery. It may become a game-changer, altering the traditional relationship between GP, radiologist, cardiologist and cardio-thoracic surgeon for the benefit of the patient."
The research was published today in the European Heart Journal. University of Galway said the next step now will be to plan for a randomised trial with more than 2,500 patients in 80 hospitals.
