The cutting-edge technology is rooted in CT coronary angiogram research.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in various fields, including medical research. In the complex and data-intensive realm of healthcare, AI systems are being utilized to analyze vast datasets, identify patterns, and make projections.
Recent pioneering research has demonstrated that AI can predict an individual’s risk of developing heart disease up to a decade in advance. This groundbreaking technology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of cardiovascular disorders and potentially save numerous lives.
Supported by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), a study suggests that AI technology could potentially save thousands of individuals who experience chest pain but have not received appropriate care to mitigate their risk of heart attacks.
The study, spearheaded by Professor Charalambos Antoniades of the University of Oxford, analyzed data from over 40,000 patients undergoing routine cardiac CT scans at eight hospitals in the UK. Over a median follow-up period of 2.7 years, the researchers observed that patients with significant coronary artery blockages faced a higher risk of mortality or major cardiovascular events, while those without such blockages had double the incidence of heart attacks and cardiovascular-related deaths.
Employing a novel AI tool trained on data related to artery blockages, changes in adipose tissue surrounding inflamed arteries, and other clinical risk factors, the team successfully predicted the likelihood of cardiovascular events with high accuracy over an extended period.
Individuals with the highest degree of vascular disease exhibited over a tenfold increase in the risk of cardiac fatality compared to those with lower disease prevalence.
In a pilot study detailed in a publication from Oxford, the researchers provided AI-generated risk assessments to healthcare professionals for 744 subsequent patients. The results indicated that treatment strategies were altered in up to 45% of cases, underscoring the potential utility of this AI tool in guiding the management of individuals with chest pain. This innovation could play a crucial role in facilitating early identification and preventive interventions for those at the highest risk.
