Kingston, Ont. hospital the first in Canada to use AI heart imaging technology
The hospital in Kingston, Ont. is launching Heartflow, a 'revolutionary AI-based technology' that will allow radiologists and cardiologists to measure how the blood flows through a patient's coronary arteries, using a CT scan.
'This AI tool is a game changer for the way we triage patients,' Dr. Omar Islam, head of diagnostic radiology at Kingston Health Sciences Centre, said in a statement.
'Before, we had to send everyone with a possible significant blockage to the cardiovascular catheterization (cath) lab just to see if the flow was reduced. Now, we can do that non-invasively with Heartflow. If the flow is normal, the patient avoids an invasive procedure entirely. It helps our capacity in the cath lab and saves the health-care system money. From a patient perspective, it spares them a procedure they may not have needed.'
Traditionally, many patients had to undergo cardiac catheterization, which is an invasive test that involves threading a wire into the arteries to measure blockages.
The Kingston Health Sciences Centre says Heartflow can reduce unnecessary catheterizations by up to 30 per cent, as doctors can make the measurement directly from a CT scan.
'For patients living with chest pain and suspected coronary artery disease, Heartflow provides a safer, faster and more accurate diagnosis of low blood flow,' the hospital said in a media release.
'It also helps medical teams determine how severe a blockage in a patient's artery may be—without having to undergo an invasive procedure.
Heartflow will be fully operational at the hospital this month.
Officials credit a $100,000 donation from local donor Stephen Sorensen for allowing the hospital to launch the technology.
'Thanks to Stephen Sorensen's visionary support, KHSC is able to invest in state-of-the-art technology that is improving care for our patients,' says KHSC CEO Dr. David Pichora.
'His belief in the power of innovation, particularly in the field of medical imaging, is creating a healthier future for our patients—and we are grateful for his remarkable leadership and generosity.'
Sorensen added, 'I'm always looking for innovative tools that can have an immediate impact on patients' lives and Heartflow fits the bill.'
The Kingston Health Sciences Centre is the first hospital in Canada to use the AI heart imaging technology.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
12 minutes ago
- CTV News
$89M in funding makes Ontario community paramedicine program permanent
Ontario provides $89 million in funding to make the community paramedicine program permanent, expanding care for seniors and First Nations people. On Tuesday, the Ontario government announced $89 million in new fund to make the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program permanent while expanding services to First Nations communities. Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau, who also chairs the Northern Ontario Service Delivery Association, expressed enthusiasm for the announcement. 'We're just thrilled with this announcement,' Boileau said. 'We know that community paramedicine has proven to be very valuable. And, for many of our northern communities, it's often the only access to primary care.' Boileau noted that she and the association have been advocating for this funding for the past four years. 'It's been helping alleviate waitlists for long-term care. It's been helping to alleviate visits to emergency departments across the region,' she said. 'Something that is, of course, of importance to many of our communities and we know that this is working.' Program provides critical at-home care for seniors The provincial paramedicine program offers 24/7 non-emergency support, allowing more seniors to age safely at home. Services include routine diagnostic procedures, at-home treatments and remote monitoring. Ambulance Ontario Paramedics transport an elderly man to a hospital in Ontario on November 19, 2020. (File photo/Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Initially launched as a pilot program in five communities in 2020, it expanded province-wide in 2022. Since then, the Ontario government reports that the program has: Served more than 81,000 people and provided more than 310,000 hours of direct care. Sudbury paramedic services highlight program's success Deputy Chief Melissa Roney of Greater Sudbury's Paramedic Services emphasized the program's effectiveness. 'In 2024, we were rostering – meaning caring – for just over 1,800 unique patients,' she said. 'So fairly substantial, considering we have four people on during the day and one community paramedic at night.' Sudbury community paramedics An undated photo of two members of Greater Sudbury's Community Paramedicine Program at Dynamic Earth with their vehicles. (File photo/Supplied/City of Greater Sudbury) Roney also told CTV News that the program has reduced unnecessary emergency calls. 'What we're seeing is an increase in people who are able to stay at home, fewer 911 calls for those non-urgent patients,' she said. 'Instead of calling 911, these patients are calling their community paramedic for their low-acuity and non-urgent needs. In 2024, our community paramedics in the city were able to reach out and meet just over 13,000 people, either by phone or in person.' Permanent funding ensures stability and long-term care Roney said the province's commitment provides much-needed stability for the program. 'It offers the ability now for stability, some long-term planning in our program because we were never sure whether or not the lights would stay on following the end of the fiscal year,' she said. 'But really, most importantly, I think it's really great that we can provide consistent care.' Roney praised the program for showcasing the evolving role of paramedics. 'This program really shows that paramedics are highly skilled, adaptable professionals who can do more than just respond to emergencies – they can prevent them.'
CTV News
12 minutes ago
- CTV News
‘Grief and sadness': Animal lovers and activists protest dog testing outside St. Joseph's hospital
Animal lovers and activists protested animal mistreatment outside St. Joseph's hospital. CTV London's Brent Lale reports.
CBC
43 minutes ago
- CBC
Mobile skin cancer screening clinic stops in Toronto this weekend
A leading skin cancer organization is hoping to make it easier for people to find out if a mole might be dangerous with a travelling skin cancer screening clinic that's stopping in Toronto this weekend. Melanoma Canada created the Mole Mobile in 2023 to help people facing long wait times to see a dermatologist. This year's tour has made stops in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Ontario. The Mole Mobile was at Volvo Toronto on Eastern Avenue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. It will be there again on Saturday and at Oriole Community Centre on Don Mills Road W. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. No appointment is needed. Angelo DeJesis, of Toronto, stopped by the Mole Mobile to get a mole on his foot checked. "I think it's one of those things that you just tend to ignore, especially with having skin tags and all. So let's just get it checked out, see what it's about," he said. DeJesis's mole has been around for two years. He says he's been on a waiting list. "Getting a dermatologist, it's a pain and hassle. It's a long wait time, too. So having this around here, it's very nice," he said. In 2023, a Canadian Cancer Statistics report found melanoma is the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada. New melanoma cases have been rising by approximately 1.4 per cent each year in the U.S. over the past decade, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This year's mole mobile tour is being held in partnership with the Canadian Dermatology Association, according to a Melanoma Canada news release. Dr. Maria Theresa Torok is a dermatologist working with Mole Mobile. "I have been thanked multiple times this morning," she said. "I've seen many people who have regular dermatologists and unfortunately because of retirement and or other reasons, they have not been able to get in to see them." Torok said she's seen a rise in the cases of melanoma due to the aging population and the use of tanning beds. She says she tries to give patients tips on what to look for. "I give them paperwork in terms of how they can do it for them, mention taking photos if they're motivated of themselves, with a close up with a ruler if anything is concerning them," Torok said.
