FDA greelights AI algorithms that detect heart murmurs, AFib via stethoscope
The FDA has cleared a series of AI algorithms designed by California tech company Eko to facilitate the detection of atrial fibrillation and heart murmurs.
According to a statement from Eko, which announced the news Jan. 28, its AFib and murmur screening algorithms are just the first in a suite of cardiac screening algorithms that will work in conjunction with Eko’s digital stethoscopes. Their recently cleared AI reportedly detects AFib with 99% sensitivity and 97% specificity, and identifies heart murmurs—a leading symptom of valvular heart disease—with 87% sensitivity and 87% specificity.
Connor Landgraf, co-founder and CEO of Eko, said in the company’s statement that the algorithms could help fast-track identification of CV abnormalities during routine physical exams, since the tech is compatible with Eko’s stethoscopes. People with valvular heart disease or AFib often go undiagnosed during a typical physical, according to the company.
“Our vision since day one has been to build seamless technology that helps providers more accurately detect heart disease, the leading killer in the world, by putting the ears of a cardiologist in any clinician’s stethoscope,” Landgraf said. “Eko’s new ability to alert a provider to the presence of a heart murmur or atrial fibrillation during the standard physical exam brings that vision to life.”
The team’s cleared algorithms reportedly also report heart rate and QRS duration and are able to identify tachycardias and bradycardias.
After graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington with a bachelor’s in journalism, Anicka joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering cardiology. Close to her heart is long-form journalism, Pilot G-2 pens, dark chocolate and her dog Harper Lee.