Reimagining PCI: From Improvised Art to Data-Driven Science

In nearly every medical procedure, planning leads to increased efficiency and better outcomes for patients. Orthopedic surgeons study MRIs before they enter the OR. Neurosurgeons rely on 3D brain maps to improve surgical precision and safety. Now, interventional cardiologists are on the cusp of gaining that same level of foresight — powered by advanced CT imaging and AI analysis.

That opportunity was front and center at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT®) conference, where one of the main-stage sessions was devoted entirely to CT-enabled PCI decision-making. It was a clear sign that pre-procedural planning is becoming essential to interventional cardiology, with Heartflow at the forefront of that shift.

With our recent launch of Heartflow PCI Navigator, the newest addition to the Heartflow One platform, physicians are now able to see a complete picture of each patient’s coronary anatomy before entering the cath lab. PCI Navigator is the only integrated, AI-driven PCI planning tool that provides interventional cardiologists with a patient-specific 3D model, combining anatomy, plaque composition, and lesion-specific physiology in one intuitive user interface. This unified picture helps interventionalists anticipate complexity, identify optimal stent landing zones, and design each procedure with confidence.

When I was practicing as an interventional cardiologist, PCI procedures, whether complex or straightforward, often began without a complete view of the patient’s anatomy. CT-guided PCI fills that gap, transforming coronary CTA insights into a clear, data-driven plan before the procedure begins. With AI analysis layered on advanced imaging, PCI Navigator delivers a unified view—enabling smarter, more personalized interventions.

To better understand how this technology impacts real-world practice, we’re also launching the NAVIGATE-PCI Registry in 2026. The study will enroll more than 2,500 patients across 30 U.S. sites to evaluate how CT-guided PCI planning influences safety, efficiency, and outcomes.
AI-powered PCI planning is transforming PCI from an improvised art into a data-driven science. With CT and AI working together to give physicians a complete picture before every case, we’re entering a new era of precision, preparation, and possibility for PCI.

See CAD. Manage for life.