Artrya and UWA launch CAC‑DAD AI tool to improve heart attack risk prediction

Artrya, in collaboration with the University of Western Australia (UWA) and clinical partners, has unveiled a novel AI‑driven calcium scoring tool—CAC‑DAD—aimed at enhancing heart attack risk prediction. Unlike the traditional Agatston coronary calcium score, which solely measures calcified plaque, CAC‑DAD factors in the location and density of each lesion. It assigns lower risk to dense, stable plaques and higher risk to those near the artery’s origin—addressing key limitations of existing models .

Fully automated, CAC‑DAD quickly processes CT scans with a one‑click interface and outperforms the Agatston score in predicting cardiac events in vulnerable patients, particularly around the time of surgery. Early studies demonstrate that combining both scores further enhances diagnostic accuracy.

Developed by UWA researchers including Dr Gavin Huangfu and Professor Girish Dwivedi, and supported by Artrya’s AI imaging expertise, the CAC‑DAD model could refine risk stratification and guide preventive measures like statin therapy . Plans are in motion to validate its predictive power in broader international cohorts and explore further integration with Artrya’s CCTA analytics platform.