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Revolutionary AI Unveils Hidden Heart Attack Risks
AI healthcare, heart disease prevention, early detection, AI in medicine, cardiovascular disease, healthcare technology
TL;DR:
- AI technology detects heart inflammation invisible to CT scans, identifying people at risk of heart attacks within the next 10 years.
- The pilot project is underway in five UK hospitals, with a decision on NHS-wide use expected soon.
- The technology has shown to be 20 to 30 times more effective in predicting fatal heart events compared to standard risk calculators.
Imagine going to the hospital with chest pain and being sent home because the CT scan didn’t show any issues. But what if there was a way to detect hidden risks that even advanced scans can’t see? Welcome to the world of AI in healthcare, where revolutionary technology is changing the game in heart disease detection.
The Power of AI in Heart Disease Detection
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now helping doctors see what was previously invisible. A new AI model can detect inflammation in the heart that doesn’t show up on CT scans. This is a game changer because inflammation is linked to a higher risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases.
Prof Keith Channon from the University of Oxford explains, “This technology is transformative and game changing because for the first time we can detect the biological processes that are invisible to the human eye, which precede the development of narrowings and blockages [within the heart].”
How Does It Work?
The AI platform, CaRi-Heart, analyses routine CT scans of patients suffering from chest pain. An algorithm then detects coronary inflammation and plaque, which are verified by trained operators. This process is part of a pilot project supported by NHS England, currently running at five hospital trusts.
The Impact: Saving Lives with Early Detection
The British Heart Foundation estimates that about 7.6 million people in the UK live with heart disease, costing the NHS £7.4bn annually. Around 350,000 patients are referred for cardiac CT scans each year, but many are sent home without a clear prevention or treatment plan.
The Orfan study, involving 40,000 patients, found that those with coronary inflammation had a 20 to 30 times higher risk of dying from a cardiac event in the next 10 years. Using AI, 45% of these patients were prescribed medication or advised on lifestyle changes to prevent future heart attacks.
Real-Life Success Story
Ian Pickard, a 58-year-old from Leicestershire, was one such patient. After experiencing chest pain, he was enrolled in the Orfan study. The AI analysis showed he was at risk of a heart attack, leading to immediate lifestyle changes and medication. “It’s a huge wake-up call,” Mr. Pickard said. “And when you see it on paper, you realise how serious it is.”
Beyond Heart Disease: Future Applications
The technology’s developer, Caristo Diagnostics, is already working to adapt it for preventing strokes and diabetes. This shows the vast potential of AI in transforming healthcare across various diseases.
The Road Ahead
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently assessing the technology for potential rollout across the NHS. It’s also under review in the US and has been approved for use in Europe and Australia. A decision on its use within the NHS is expected within months.
The Future of AI in Healthcare
AI is not just about detecting diseases; it’s about preventing them. With early detection, doctors can intervene before the disease progresses, saving lives and reducing healthcare costs. This is just the beginning of what AI can do in healthcare.
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