Rochester Regional Health is introducing artificial intelligence-assisted heart imaging at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia as the first step in a broader expansion of its cardiovascular diagnostic services.
The Heartflow technology analyzes coronary CT images to help physicians determine whether narrowed arteries are restricting blood flow, the health system said in an Oct. 21 news release.
Known as CT-derived fractional flow reserve, or CT-FFR, the noninvasive analysis can help appropriate patients avoid additional invasive diagnostic procedures, according to Rochester Regional Health. The system said that could reduce costs and the need to travel for specialized care.
Rochester Regional Health cited growing financial pressures on rural hospitals in announcing the investment. The system described the rollout as part of its effort to preserve access to specialty care at community hospitals while improving efficiency.
Dr. Bipul Baibhav of Rochester Regional Health’s Sands-Constellation Heart & Vascular Institute helped lead the clinical strategy and capital investment behind the rollout, which is part of the system’s broader commitment to advanced cardiac imaging.
Following the Batavia launch, Rochester Regional Health plans to expand the technology into the St. Lawrence region. Additional Finger Lakes locations are anticipated in 2027.
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