#United States #Stamford #Heart Disease #CaRi-Heart #Caristo

Caristo's Revolutionary Cardiac Risk Assessment Technology

Caristo Diagnostics, a pioneer in AI-based heart disease detection, has made headlines once again. Recently, the American Medical Association (AMA) has formally assigned CPT codes 0992T and 0993T for the groundbreaking CaRi-Heart technology. This significant step toward making advanced cardiac assessment tools widely available in everyday medical practice signifies a major shift in how we can detect heart disease, specifically coronary inflammation.

What Are CPT Codes?

CPT, or Current Procedural Terminology, codes are unique identifiers used in the healthcare industry to categorize medical services and procedures for billing purposes. The new codes, included in the 2026 CPT Codebook, demonstrate that the medical community recognizes the importance of the technology behind Caristo’s flagship product – CaRi-Heart. This technology leverages AI to analyze perivascular fat around the heart, a critical factor in assessing cardiovascular risk.

The Implications of CPT Code Assignment

The assignment of these codes marks a significant advancement in Caristo's mission to integrate AI-powered cardiac assessments into routine clinical care in the United States. With these codes, healthcare providers can bill for the use of the CaRi-Heart technology, facilitating its adoption and integration into standard medical practices. This transformative approach to heart health enables physicians to make more informed decisions based on early detection and quantification of heart disease risk—the very essence of preventive medicine.

Details of the CPT Codes:

• - 0992T: This code is for the noninvasive analysis of cardiac risk derived from software examination of perivascular fat without a concurrent CT scan, alongside a physician's interpretation.
• - 0993T: This code includes analyses with the added component of a CT scan, again requiring a professional interpretation.

Why This Matters

The CaRi-Heart technology represents a significant innovation in predicting heart attacks and cardiovascular events. It has shown potential to identify high-risk coronary artery disease markers well before symptoms arise, which is crucial in a country where heart disease remains a leading cause of death. The AI algorithms assess hidden markers and inflammation in coronary arteries—elements that traditional evaluations often overlook.

Scientific Backing and Future Prospects

Supported by a 2024 publication in The Lancet, the technology has illustrated its capability in identifying patients at risk of heart attack up to ten years in advance. Safer, quicker, and more effective comparisons can lead to better patient outcomes. With the new codes taking effect on January 1, 2026, the anticipation surrounding the clinical use of the CaRi-Heart technology is palpable.

Frank Cheng, CEO of Caristo Diagnostics, expressed the significance of this development, stating, "This is a huge leap forward in the fight against heart disease... we are laying the foundation for a future where every at-risk American has access to precision risk assessment."

As we look forward, the dual approach with the CaRi-Plaque technology adds yet another layer of promise in treating plaque and stenosis within arteries. As Caristo expands its technological frontier, their focus remains firmly placed on enhancing cardiovascular care through innovative solutions.

Conclusion

Caristo Diagnostics is setting a new benchmark in cardiovascular health with its AI-driven technologies. As it prepares to roll out these CPT codes, there is a hopeful consensus that such advancements can make a profound difference in how heart disease is detected, treated, and ultimately prevented. The marriage of AI and healthcare is just beginning, but the future looks brighter than ever for patients and practitioners alike.