NCH Becomes First U.S. Hospital to Use AI That Detects Hidden Heart Attack Risk a Decade in Advance

Naples Hospital Leads the Nation in Predictive Heart Health Innovation

Naples is now home to a medical first that could redefine preventive cardiology across the country. NCH Rooney Heart Institute has become the first hospital in the United States to adopt an artificial intelligence platform capable of detecting hidden heart attack risk up to a decade before symptoms appear — marking a significant step forward in early cardiac disease prevention.

The hospital has partnered with Caristo Diagnostics, a U.K.-based medical technology company behind two groundbreaking tools: CaRi-Plaque™ and CaRi-Heart®. Together, these systems analyze coronary CT angiography (CCTA) scans to identify subtle indicators of inflammation and vulnerable plaque buildup that traditional imaging often misses.

While most cardiac imaging detects damage after it has occurred, this technology flips the model entirely — spotting danger before it turns deadly. The AI scans for inflammation within the fatty tissue surrounding coronary arteries, a leading but previously invisible driver of heart attacks. The result: physicians can now pinpoint high-risk patients long before a cardiac event ever occurs.

A Leap Forward in Preventive Care

The introduction of CaRi-Heart® at NCH represents more than a tech upgrade; it’s a shift from reactive to proactive medicine. By quantifying coronary inflammation, doctors can identify patients whose arteries look normal yet harbor early signs of disease. That knowledge opens the door to early intervention — through medication, lifestyle modification, or closer monitoring — potentially saving countless lives.

This innovation also reinforces NCH’s role as a leader in cardiovascular medicine. For Naples residents, particularly its large retiree and active-adult population, the technology offers peace of mind and access to world-class screening without leaving Southwest Florida. For employers and local insurers, it signals a future where heart disease costs may decline as prevention replaces emergency response.

How the AI Works

When a patient undergoes a coronary CT angiography, CaRi-Plaque™ maps the arteries and highlights dangerous plaque features. CaRi-Heart® then uses AI algorithms to assess coronary inflammation through what’s called the Fat-Attenuation Index (FAI). This reading helps physicians see beyond structural blockages and into the biological activity driving potential heart attacks.

The hospital’s new program allows eligible patients to have their scans analyzed through these AI systems. A self-pay option is also being introduced for individuals who want proactive heart assessments before any symptoms emerge.

Local and National Significance

For a city like Naples — often ranked among the healthiest and wealthiest in the nation — this step solidifies its reputation as a hub for innovation in wellness and healthcare. Early adoption of such technology positions the region as a model for preventive medicine, integrating advanced science with a community known for prioritizing longevity and active living.

Nationally, the implications are profound. If results at NCH mirror those found in European trials — where early inflammation detection cut major cardiac events dramatically — this AI could become standard practice across U.S. hospitals within the decade.

What Comes Next

NCH will monitor patient outcomes as part of a research-pilot phase to evaluate real-world effectiveness. Clinical data will help determine how often early detection leads to successful interventions, and whether insurers will begin covering the technology in preventive screenings.

In the meantime, local residents can already take advantage of it. Anyone with cardiac risk factors or a family history of heart disease may inquire about the new program through NCH Rooney Heart Institute’s preventive cardiology team.