Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a crucial component of healthcare to help augment physicians and make them more efficient. In medical imaging, it is helping radiologists more efficiently manage PACS worklists, enable structured reporting, auto detect injuries and diseases, and to pull in relevant prior exams and patient data. In cardiology, AI is helping automate tasks and measurements on imaging and in reporting systems, guides novice echo users to improve imaging and accuracy, and can risk stratify patients. AI includes deep learning algorithms, machine learning, computer-aided detection (CAD) systems, and convolutional neural networks. 

Craig Sable Children's National Hospital AI echo

AI spots signs of rheumatic heart disease in echocardiograms as well as cardiologists

Researchers think this represents a potential breakthrough for low- and middle-income countries where access to high-quality imaging evaluations is still limited. 

Professor Keith Channon, MD, MB ChB, FRCP, interventional cardiologist and the British Heart Foundation Professor Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Oxford, and a co-founder of Caristo, explained an AHA 2023 study where AI identified coronary inflammation as a major silent risk factor and a strong predictor of heart attack risk.

AI model targets inflammation, helping cardiologists find 'invisible' heart patients

By focusing more on inflammation, cardiologists can ensure they are identifying patients who need help before it's too late.

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Imaging specialists partner with Pfizer to deliver AI-powered cardiac amyloidosis evaluations

Improving care for patients with cardiac amyloidosis has emerged as one of the hottest topics in cardiology. Pfizer helped kickstart that trend in 2019 when it gained FDA approval for two separate medications for the rare, but potentially fatal disease. 

AI artificial intelligence stethoscope doctor

AI models for predicting heart failure still far from perfect

Advanced AI models can evaluate a patient's heart failure risk using 12-lead ECG data—but there is still some room for improvement. 

HeartFlow’s AI-powered CAD offering reaches a significant milestone

The company's trademark offering has now been used to evaluate one quarter of a million patients. 

Cardiology now has more than 100 FDA cleared AI algorithms

Cardiology makes up 10% of the 692 market-cleared clinical AI algorithms in the FDA’s latest update on the number of patient-facing AI now commercialized in the U.S. Experts share their thoughts on how it is being used.

AI artificial intelligence stethoscope doctor

5 key criteria for AI prediction models in cardiology

AI-based prediction models have shown significant promise, but many are still flawed in a way that limits their value. 

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New imaging vendor focused on AI, robotics raises $36M with help from GE Healthcare

The funds are expected to go toward bringing in new employees and accelerating the development of a new cardiac imaging offering. 

Around the web

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.