AI-driven heart scans speed up diagnosis and save millions

AI-driven heart scans which cut the need for invasive tests have saved millions of pounds, according to an analysis.

The Heartflow technology, which has been rolled out across 56 hospitals in England since 2021, enables doctors to diagnose and treat patients with suspected heart disease faster by turning a CT scan of their heart into a personalised 3D image which is analysed using AI.

A study, published in Nature Medicine on 4 April 2025, found that the technology reduced the number of patients needing invasive angiogram tests by 16% in cases where it was later found no further treatment was required – and by 7% overall.

The number of second heart tests patients needed within a two-year period has also been cut by 12%.

Dr Vin Diwakar, national director of transformation at NHS England, said: “It is fantastic 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.”

The study, funded by the Medical Research Council, looked at the use of Heartflow analysis among 90,000 NHS patients over three years between 2017 and 2020, with the tool used on nearly 8,000 of them.

Results showed that personalised imaging reduced unnecessary, potentially risky tests while increasing the number of people being treated for heart disease by more accurately diagnosing patients.

Lead clinician on the study Dr Timothy Fairbairn, consultant cardiologist at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, said: “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.”

NHS data show that more than 24,300 patients have benefitted since the technology was rolled out, saving the NHS an estimated £9.5m – equivalent to around £390 per patient.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of cardiovascular disease, affecting 2.3 million people in England.

Previously patients suspected of having CHD would need to undergo a CT scan and if a narrowing or blockage in a coronary artery was suspected, many would need an invasive angiogram to confirm the diagnosis.

Heartflow enables many patients to be treated through medication and lifestyle changes, with an invasive angiogram only recommended if they may need to undergo surgery or have a stent fitted.

The tool can also suggest the size and position of stent that would work best for the specific patient.

NHSE rolled out the technology from 2021 through the MedTech Funding Mandate programme, which aims to ensure patients and the NHS benefit from clinically effective and cost saving medical technologies faster and more equitably.