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. 

Left, coronary CT angiography of a vessel showing plaque heavy calcium burden. Right, image showing color code of various types of plaque morphology showing the complexity of these lesions. The right image was processed using the FDA cleared, AI-enabled plaque assessment from Elucid.

Cardiac CT soft plaque assessment may offer paradigm shift for coronary disease screening

New artificial intelligence software that can evaluate coronary CT scans to automatically assess soft plaques were by far the biggest technology advance discussed at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2022 meeting. 

Medtronic CathWorks FFRangio FFR fractional flow reserve x-rays

Medtronic invests $75M in AI-powered FFR specialists, opening door to a future acquisition

The FFRangio System, which uses AI to obtain fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements from routine X-rays, is at the center of this new partnership

AI Eko smart stethoscope machine learning heart murmurs adult pediatric patients FDA clearance

FDA clears Eko’s latest AI model for heart murmurs

The algorithm works with Eko's smart stethoscopes to help physicians identify and diagnose structural heart murmurs. 

KardiaBand outperforms Apple Watch in diagnosing AFib, but a cardiologist’s perspective is still crucial

The study's authors noted that the ECG acquisition technology in these wearable devices appears to be quite effective. The automated algorithms, however, could still be improved. 

DiA Imaging Analysis, which specialized in developing the AI-based automated cardiac ultrasound solution LVivo Seamless. The technology is now integrated through partnerships with dozens of healthcare vendors, including ScImage, GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare Konica Minolta and IBM Watson.

ScImage latest vendor to adopt DiA Imaging Analysis AI for echocardiography

Artificial intelligence vendor DiA has emerged as a key third-party provider of AI to larger imaging vendors.

Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 glucose monitor gains FDA clearance

Regulatory Roundup: FDA clears 2 new devices, grants breakthrough designation to advanced AI model

Catch up on several recent FDA announcements, including an update on the agency's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

lung cancer pulmonary nodule

Pulmonary embolism AI cleared

A Silicon Valley AI shop has been OK’d by the FDA to market software that automatically flags suspected pulmonary embolisms (PEs) and immediately notifies physicians.

AI in cardiology

VIDEO: Getting cardiologist buy-in on artificial intelligence

Ami Bhatt, MD, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) chief innovation officer and adult congenital heart disease cardiologist at Mass General Hospital, discusses how to get physician acceptance to use artificial intelligence (AI). 

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.