Holy Cross Medical Center is expanding heart care for northern New Mexico residents with the introduction of HeartFlow Plaque Analysis, an advanced, non-invasive technology that helps doctors better understand a patient’s risk for heart disease. Beginning in January 2026, Holy Cross will become the first hospital in New Mexico to offer this cutting-edge diagnostic tool, marking a significant milestone for rural health care in the state.
HeartFlow Plaque Analysis builds on a coronary CT angiogram, a specialized imaging scan of the heart’s blood vessels. Using artificial intelligence, the technology creates a detailed, three-dimensional model of a patient’s coronary arteries and measures the amount, location, and type of plaque inside them. Plaque buildup in these arteries is the underlying cause of coronary artery disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What makes plaque analysis especially valuable is its ability to identify so-called “high-risk” plaque—fatty, unstable buildup that can rupture suddenly and cause a heart attack. Studies have shown that many heart attacks are triggered by these unstable plaques, which may not be detected by traditional calcium scoring scans. According to research presented in the DECIDE Registry, nearly 30 percent of patients with a calcium score of zero had a change in their treatment plan after undergoing plaque analysis, highlighting the technology’s ability to reveal hidden risk.
The new local service is led by cardiologist Tiziano Scarabelli, MD, PhD, at Holy Cross Cardiology. He emphasized the importance of bringing advanced diagnostic tools to smaller communities.
“Practicing cardiology in a rural community carries a special responsibility,” Scarabelli said. “Our patients deserve the same diagnostic precision available at large academic centers, especially when decisions about the coronary artery may determine whether patients remain here or are transferred to another institution. We are truly proud to bring this first-in-the-state capability to our hospital to help the people of our community.”
HeartFlow Plaque Analysis will be used alongside fractional flow reserve CT (FFRCT), a technology already in place at Holy Cross that evaluates how well blood flows through the coronary arteries. Together, these tools allow physicians to make more confident diagnoses, personalize treatment plans, and focus on prevention, often without the need for invasive procedures and helping avoid transfers to larger hospitals.
“Holy Cross is proud to provide this level of care to our patients,” said Sue Romansky, Chief Operating Officer at Holy Cross Medical Center. “Being the first in our state to offer plaque analysis is another example of how Holy Cross continues to invest in advanced services that allow patients in our rural community to receive great care close to home.”
For patients in rural northern New Mexico, this advancement means access to world-class heart diagnostics close to home, offering greater peace of mind and earlier, more targeted care when it matters most.