AI-based FFRct: Conversation with Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology

Keya Medical’s Sponsored Podcast

Episode: “AI-based FFRct: Conversation with Zwanger-Pesiri | Sponsored episode” (Season 6, Episode 1; Jan 21, 2026)
Host: Praveen Ranganath, MD
Guests (Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology, Long Island, NY):

• Steven Mendelsohn, MD
• Anthony Puzelli, RT(R)(MR)(CT)(MRSO);
• Adam Alberti, ARRT (R)(CT)(MR)(MRSO)

Sponsor: Keya Medical

This episode is sponsored by Keya Medical. References to products/services by speakers do not constitute SCCT endorsement, and views expressed do not necessarily reflect SCCT.

Overview

Watch or Listen

Podcast Summary

Why DEEPVESSEL FFR Matters in Coronary CTA

Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has become a frontline diagnostic tool for evaluating suspected coronary artery disease. However, anatomical stenosis alone does not always reflect the functional significance of a lesion—particularly in the intermediate range.

CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) addresses this gap by providing a noninvasive physiologic assessment derived from CCTA data. During the podcast, the discussion centered not just on the value of CT-FFR in principle, but on why DEEPVESSEL® FFR has become an integral part of Zwanger-Pesiri’s coronary CTA workflow.

DEEPVESSEL FFR: Designed for Real-World Clinical Practice

The episode focuses on DEEPVESSEL® FFR, an FDA-cleared AI-based CT-FFR solution developed by Keya Medical. Unlike traditional computational fluid dynamics approaches, DEEPVESSEL® FFR uses deep-learning models applied to coronary CTA data to estimate FFR values along the coronary tree.

For Zwanger-Pesiri, the value of DEEPVESSEL® FFR extends beyond functional assessment alone. The leadership team emphasized the importance of workflow reliability, scalability, and consistency—especially in a high-volume outpatient setting.

As Anthony Puzelli, RT(R)(MR)(CT)(MRSO), Chief Technical Officer at Zwanger-Pesiri, explained:

Clinical Evidence Supporting DEEPVESSEL FFR

The podcast also reviews the clinical evidence supporting DEEPVESSEL® FFR, including studies that contributed to FDA clearance.

• ADAPT Study – A multicenter study conducted in the United States and Europe that demonstrated improved diagnostic performance of AI-based CT-FFR compared with CCTA stenosis assessment alone, using invasive FFR as the reference standard.
• TARGET Trial – A randomized trial showing that a CT-FFR–guided care pathway reduced unnecessary invasive coronary angiography in patients without functionally significant disease, without increasing adverse events or negatively affecting quality of life.

These studies reinforce the role of DEEPVESSEL FFR as a clinically validated adjunct to coronary CTA, supporting more informed downstream decision-making.

Real-World Adoption at Scale: Zwanger-Pesiri’s Experience

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology performs high-volume cardiac imaging across a large outpatient footprint. In the episode, Dr. Steven Mendelsohn, MD, Chief Executive Officer, describes CT-FFR—and DEEPVESSEL FFR specifically—as an increasingly essential component of their coronary CTA program.

Key operational insights shared include:

• Streamlined cloud-based image transfer and report return
• Reduced need for repeat reconstructions and manual intervention
• Tight integration between clinical, IT, and billing workflows
• Growing confidence among radiologists and referring cardiologists as familiarity with DEEPVESSEL FFR increases