Radiology Partners supplements regular breast screenings with as-needed—and AI-aided—cardiology referrals
The nation’s largest radiology practice is introducing an AI-based service that can warn women of looming cardiovascular risk whenever they receive a routine screening mammogram.
Four thousand-physician Radiology Partners is initially rolling out the program with just one of its many affiliates, eight-site Desert Radiology based in Las Vegas. But its plan is to expand to other markets “in the near term,” according to an announcement posted Oct. 2.
Called Mammo Enhance Heart, the program uses an FDA-approved algorithm to flag calcium deposits in breast arteries. RP points out that women with these buildups are around 51% more likely to develop heart disease or stroke susceptibility.
When the AI indicates it has detected such a deposit—called a BAC for breast arterial calcification—it flags the presence and notes the locale. Next, a radiologist confirms or refutes the finding. If human agrees with machine, the rad uses an established system for scoring the patient’s cardiovascular risk. Patients with risk scores above a certain threshold are referred to a partnering cardiology practice.
RP, which serves more than 3,400 hospitals and other healthcare facilities, says it also uses follow-up data to continuously refine risk-prediction prowess and follow-up care protocols.
“Early detection of BAC helps identify cardiovascular risk in women who might otherwise remain undiagnosed until more serious symptoms emerge,” the practice explains. “Incorporating the Mammo Enhance Heart program into annual screening mammograms provides valuable insights into a patient’s long-term health risks, ensures appropriate clinical follow-up and reduces the need for additional exams or radiation exposure.”
RP emphasizes that BAC findings and risk scores are immediately shared with patients and their providers.
“Patients identified with BAC may be candidates for additional clinical evaluation of general health,” the practice explains in the announcement. “Patients requiring cardiologist consultation may choose from a network of local cardiologists trained on the clinical objectives of Mammo Enhance Heart.”
Breast radiologist Arthy Saravanan, MD, associate CMO at Radiology Partners, adds that integrating cardiovascular disease screening into regular breast-cancer screenings “allows providers to monitor changes over time without additional exams. With this continuous evaluation, patients are more in tune with their risk factors and overall health.”
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.