/Health news/‘Game-changing’ AI detects potential heart attack risk

‘Game-changing’ AI detects potential heart attack risk

The AI ​​model has been hailed as a “game changer” for being able to analyze CT scan images to identify patients at risk of heart attack in the next 10 years.

heart attack
The AI ​​model analyzes CT scans to identify patients at risk of having a heart attack within the next 10 years.

The artificial intelligence (AI) model detects inflammation in the heart that doesn’t show up on CT scans, using a combination of X-rays and computer technology.

This is mA pilot project supported by NHS England is being carried out at five hospitals in Oxford, Milton Keynes, Leicester, Liverpool and Wolverhampton. A decision on the use of the technology in the NHS is expected to be made within months. The technology’s developer, Oxford University subsidiary Caristo Diagnostics, said it has been working to adapt the technology to prevent strokes and diabetes.

Professor Keith Channon, from the University of Oxford, said: “This technology is transformational and game-changing because for the first time we can detect biological processes invisible to the human eye, before when developing narrowing and blockages in the heart”. 

As part of the pilot project, patients with chest pain referred for a CT scan will typically have their scans analyzed using Caristo Diagnostics’ CaRi-Heart AI platform. An algorithm for detecting coronary artery inflammation and plaque was then evaluated by qualified operators to verify its accuracy.

Research has shown that increased inflammation is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and fatal heart attacks. According to government figures, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) estimates that around 7.6 million people are living with heart disease in the UK and the annual cost to the NHS in England is £7.4 billion. The BHF says around 350,000 patients are referred for cardiac CT scans each year in the UK. The Orfan study (Oxford risk factors and non-invasive imaging) involving 40,000 patients and published in the journal Lancet, found that 80% of people were readmitted to primary care without Have a defined prevention or treatment plan.

Focusing on this population, researchers say they found that if patients had coronary artery inflammation, they were 20 to 30 times more likely to die from a cardiovascular event over the next 10 years. . Research funded by the BHF found that using AI technology, 45% of those patients were prescribed medication or encouraged to make lifestyle changes to prevent the risk of future heart attacks.

Word of warning

Mr. Ian Pickard, 58 years old, lives in Barwell, Leicestershire, is one of 40,000 patients participating in the study. Mr Pickard was referred for a CT scan in November 2023 after experiencing persistent chest pain. He was enrolled in the Orfan study at Leicester University Hospitals NHS Trust. 

After using AI analysis technology, test results showed that he was at risk of having a heart attack. At that time, he was prescribed statin medication and asked to quit smoking and increase regular exercise combined with a healthy diet.

“This was a ‘big wake-up call’ for me and when you see the test results on paper you realize how serious it really is. It’s something you can look at every day and think you have to do something about this,” he said.  

The AI ​​model measures heart inflammation based on the fat around the arteries

Professor Charalambos Antoniades, who led Orfan’s research, said the tools available so far were still rudimentary because the computers could only assess general risk factors, such as whether a patient had diabetes, smoking or obesity. 

He said: “Now, with this type of AI technology, we can know exactly which patients have disease activity in their arteries before the disease develops. This means we can act Act early to stop the disease process and treat this patient to prevent the disease from developing and then prevent heart attacks from occurring.”

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently evaluating the technology to determine whether it should be rolled out across the NHS. The technology is also under review in the United States and has been approved for use in Europe and Australia.

Information translated from BBC

Join the Club

Like this story? You’ll love our monthly newsletter.

Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter.

Oops. Something went wrong. Please try again later.

Nguyễn Thị Thu Uyên

Nguyễn Thị Thu Uyên

Both the university and the hospital are places where I have spent significant time studying and practicing to build a solid knowledge foundation. With continuous efforts in learning and staying updated with the latest advancements in medical literature, I always maintain an open and flexible mindset in response to the constant changes in the field. My work experience has given me deep insights into various professional aspects, from complex terminologies to sophisticated medical procedures. However, I realize that this knowledge is often too difficult for many people to access due to its dry and complex nature. As a healthcare professional, this has driven me to seek a new approach, transforming complex medical knowledge into something more understandable and relatable for everyone. Writing is the tool I chose to achieve this goal. I do not merely see writing as a means to convey information, but also as a way to connect with readers, patients, and help them access medical knowledge more easily and naturally. I always strive to turn difficult medical terms into memorable, practical stories. My passion for writing stems from a love of sharing knowledge and a desire to bring real value to the community, not just within the hospital. I believe that in a world full of information, the accurate and easy-to-understand dissemination of medical knowledge is extremely important. With every article, I hope to contribute a small part to raising health awareness, helping people better protect themselves and their families. Especially in today's era, when weight loss and beauty according to medical standards are of great interest to many, the Drip Hydration Vietnam project is an information channel that helps me convey the best knowledge and solutions to everyone.

Comment

Let We Know What You Thinking

You May Be Interested