A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool developed by doctors could significantly improve the early detection of heart disease. According to The Guardian, the technology can analyse routine electrocardiograms (ECGs) and identify signs of heart failure and heart valve disease in less than two seconds. The development was presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual congress in Munich.
An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart and is one of the most commonly performed medical tests worldwide. However, conventional ECGs cannot reliably detect some forms of heart disease. Patients suspected of having these conditions usually require an echocardiogram, which can involve long waiting times.
The new AI system has been trained using millions of patient records. In a US trial involving 67,000 patients, it identified up to 81% of people with heart failure and up to 90% of those with heart valve disease. This could allow doctors to identify high-risk patients quickly and prioritise them for further testing and treatment.
Experts believe the technology could save lives by enabling earlier diagnosis. It could also be used to analyse ECGs performed for unrelated reasons, potentially detecting previously unsuspected heart conditions.
Overall, the technology demonstrates the growing potential of AI in healthcare. If successfully implemented, it could make heart disease detection faster, more efficient and potentially life-saving.