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Stamford Health is First in Connecticut to Offer New, AI-Powered Cardiovascular Screening

Stamford, CT / October 2, 2024 – Stamford Health’s Heart & Vascular Institute has announced it will be the first in Connecticut to offer a new, AI-powered cardiovascular screening algorithm to enhance cardiovascular care for its patients. The tool, provided by Bunkerhill Health, uses an advanced algorithm, to calculate a total coronary artery calcium (CAC) or Agatston score, significantly improving the early detection and management of cardiovascular disease by identifying the presence of coronary calcium, an indicator of future risk of coronary artery disease in a pre-defined patient population.

Traditionally, this type of screening would occur with a special order from a physician. Now, the automated algorithm runs in the background of all non-gated chest CT scans, such as those used in lung cancer screenings, and patients will automatically receive a CAC score during any non-contrast chest CT scan. When a patient with elevated CAC is identified, their primary care provider (PCP) or cardiologist is promptly notified. The notification includes the patient’s CAC score and MESA risk percentile, enabling timely and personalized follow-up care. Treatment can include simple lifestyle adjustments such a dietary or exercise recommendations, medication or further cardiac testing.

“We are excited to integrate this groundbreaking technology into our cardiovascular screening process,” said Ronald Lee, MD, chair of Stamford Health’s department of radiology. “We are focused on providing the most cutting-edge, sophisticated care to our patients.”

“This tool enhances our ability to detect early signs of cardiovascular disease and ensures that patients receive the follow-up care they need to prevent serious health outcomes,” added David Hsi, MD, chief of cardiology, and co-director of Stamford Health’s Heart & Vascular Institute.

This announcement comes on the heels of other advancements in cardiovascular care at Stamford Health, the most comprehensive heart and vascular program in Fairfield County, providing the full spectrum of cardiac support and treatment. Through a partnership with Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Stamford Health recently began offering the MitraClip™ mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) procedure. This treatment helps patients with mitral valve regurgitation, which occurs when the one of the heart’s four valves leaks, pushing blood back into the heart.

Stamford Health also recently achieved a significant milestone, having performed over 500 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures, one that replaces a diseased aortic valve with a man-made valve. To date, Stamford Health has also performed more than 2,000 chest CT scans with AI analysis.

For more information about Stamford Health’s Heart & Vascular Institute, please visit https://www.stamfordhealth.org/care-treatment/heart/.

ABOUT STAMFORD HEALTH

Stamford Health is a non-profit independent health care system with more than 3,900 employees committed to caring for the community through a wide range of high-quality health and wellness services. Patients and their families receive expert, compassionate care through the system’s 305-bed Stamford Hospital; Stamford Health Medical Group, with more than 40 offices in lower Fairfield County offering primary and specialty care; a growing number of ambulatory locations across the region; and support through the Stamford Hospital Foundation.

Stamford Health is known for its expert, person-centered care through its many recognitions and partnerships. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Stamford Hospital as a High-Performing Hospital. The Leapfrog Group awarded Stamford Hospital an “A” for patient safety. The American Nurses Credentialing Center has granted Stamford Hospital Magnet Status, which recognizes superior patient care with the highest level of safety, quality, and patient satisfaction. Stamford Health is Planetree Gold-Certified for Excellence in Person-Centered Care and is a Certified™ Great Place to Work.

Stamford Health is a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and offers treatment and expertise from Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s nationally recognized heart and neuro surgeons. Stamford Health and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have created a premier center for specialty orthopedic care right in Stamford, Connecticut. Stamford Health’s Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center has a robust collaboration with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center.

Dedicated to being the community’s most trusted health care partner, Stamford Health puts patients first to build long-lasting relationships. For more information, visit StamfordHealth.org. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X.

About Bunkerhill Health

Bunkerhill Health helps bring AI algorithms, built by researchers, to clinical practice. Bunkerhill enables researchers to train and validate healthcare AI algorithms across their research consortium of 20+ academic medical centers (Stanford, USCF, Johns Hopkins, Emory, and several others). Bunkerhill then commercializes and deploys those algorithms for real-time use at the largest health systems in the U.S..