UHealth—University of Miami Health System First in Florida to Use AI-Powered Heartflow PCI Navigator for Heart Procedures
An AI-powered platform is helping University of Miami cardiologists simulate treatment strategies and personalize coronary interventions before entering the cardiac catheterization lab, marking the first use of Heartflow PCI Navigator in Florida.
At the UHealth—University of Miami Health System, interventional cardiologists are transforming how they prepare for life-saving heart procedures and bringing a new level of precision, efficiency and personalization to patient care.
Yiannis Chatzizisis, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is leading the first use in Florida of the Heartflow PCI Navigator. The AI-powered platform enables physicians to plan percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures before entering the cardiac catheterization lab. The technology represents a major shift from traditional approaches, for which critical decisions have historically been made in real time during procedures.
“We are bringing our patients the crème de la crème of cardiovascular technology,” said Dr. Chatzizisis. “This works resonates with the efforts of the Center for Digital Cardiovascular Innovations. We emphasize leveraging AI simulations to plan procedures.”
A New Era of Pre-Procedural Planning
Coronary artery disease is caused by plaque buildup that restricts blood flow to the heart and remains a leading driver of heart attacks and other serious cardiac events. PCI procedures are commonly used to reopen blocked arteries. Until recently, physicians often had limited insight into a patient’s coronary anatomy before the intervention began.
Heartflow PCI Navigator lets physicians create a detailed, patient-specific 3D representation of coronary arteries using CT imaging. The process integrates critical data about blood flow, plaque composition and lesion severity into a single interface.
“This technology gives us anatomy, biology and physiology in a one-stop platform,” Dr. Chatzizisis said.
By providing a comprehensive view of disease prior to the procedure, the platform allows physicians to approach each case with a clear, data-driven strategy tailored to the individual patient.
“Our job has always been to give the interventional team the clearest possible picture of a patient’s disease before they ever touch a catheter,” said Gina LaRocca, M.D., professor of cardiovascular medicine at the Miller School and UHealth director of advanced cardiovascular imaging. “PCI Navigator closes that gap even further, turning what we see on CT into an actionable plan for stent placement. It’s the kind of integration that directly improves patient outcomes.”
Turning Insight into Precision
PCI Navigator informs decisions that directly impact procedural success and patient outcomes. Physicians can evaluate the exact location and severity of blockages and simulate treatment strategies before performing the intervention.
“It allows us to decide on stent length, diameter and technique using information we simply did not have before,” said Dr. Chatzizisis. “It’s a totally different dimension in procedural planning.”
With these insights available in advance, procedures can be performed more efficiently and with greater confidence. The result is a more predictable experience for both physicians and patients that potentially reduces procedure time and improves outcomes.
Advancing Patient-Centered, Data-Driven Care
At UHealth and the Miller School, the adoption of PCI Navigator reflects a broader commitment to integrating cutting-edge technologies into cardiovascular care. Dr. Chatzizisis has been at the forefront of this effort, leading research and clinical initiatives that combine imaging, artificial intelligence and interventional cardiology.
His work is closely aligned with emerging concepts such as “digital twins,” where patient-specific data is used to model disease and simulate treatment strategies in advance.
“We are using digital twins and advanced technologies to plan procedures in a way that maximizes outcomes for our patients,” he said.
A First-in-Florida Milestone
As one of the first institutions in the country, and the first in Florida, to adopt the Heartflow PCI Navigator, UHealth continues to build its reputation as a leader in cardiovascular innovation.
The integration of advanced imaging with interventional planning also underscores the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, bringing together expertise in cardiology, radiology and computational science.
“This is about delivering smarter, multidisciplinary care and positioning ourselves not just locally, but globally, at the forefront of innovation,” Dr. Chatzizisis said.
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Tags: cardiac catheterization, coronary artery disease, Dr. Yiannis Chatzizisis, heart care, heart disease, interventional cardiology