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. 

 Brittany Nicole Weber, MD, Brigham and Women's Hospital, explains the use of opportunistic CT screening for cardiovascular disease on noncardiac exams.

Opportunistic screening with AI could be a game-changer for preventive cardiology

Brittany Nicole Weber, MD, PhD, detailed new research into the benefits of screening for cardiovascular disease in CT scans not specifically ordered for that purpose. The rise of AI has helped make opportunistic screening a huge trend in both cardiology and radiology. 

Researchers have found that an unexpected combination—artificial intelligence (AI) and a 3D body scanner—can evaluate a person’s metabolic health and identify significant risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other adverse outcomes. In fact, the technique may prove to be more accurate than knowing a person’s body mass index (BMI) or waist-to-hip ratio.

Better than BMI? 3D body scanner uses AI to measure metabolic health

Mayo Clinic specialists have developed a new way to identify risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other adverse outcomes.

AISAP, an Israeli healthcare technology company focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance medical imaging results, has gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its new point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) software platform, AISAP Cardio.

FDA clears AI-powered POCUS platform for structural heart disease, heart failure

The cloud-based platform was designed to help even inexperienced users scan and diagnose a majority of common heart issues within minutes without leaving the patient’s side.

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FDA approves new AI-powered imaging software from Nanox subsidiary

According to Nanox.AI, previously known as Zebra Medical Vision, the updated software helps "bridge the divide between radiology and cardiology."

Siemens Healthineers has gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for Acuson Origin, its new cardiovascular ultrasound system featuring advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The Acuson Origin represents a significant update from the prior Siemens Healthineers cardiovascular ultrasound system, the Acuson SC2000.

Siemens Healthineers gains FDA clearance for new AI-powered cardiovascular ultrasound system

The Acuson Origin system includes advanced AI algorithms designed to assist users with the treatment of diagnostic, structural heart, vascular, electrophysiological and pediatric patients. It also comes packaged with a new 4D ICE catheter capable of multiplanar reconstruction imaging with or without the use of an electrocardiogram.

An example of HeartFlow's new RoadMap Stenosis software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to show areas of interest for possible stenting based on a patient's CT scan and FFR-CT. This software is still undergoing beta testing at several hospitals and will likely be rolled out commercially later in 2023.

Cardiology still a leader in healthcare AI, trailing only radiology in FDA-cleared algorithms

At its current rate, the number of clinical AI models cleared by the FDA will break 1,000 before the end of 2024. Cardiology continues to play a significant role in this ongoing trend. 

Cardiologist Ami B. Bhatt, MD, a digital health specialist and longtime member of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), will serve as the Digital Health Advisory Committee's very first chair.

Cardiologist to chair new FDA advisory committee focused on AI, other digital health technologies

The Digital Health Advisory Committee is tasked with providing perspective and recommendations on a wide variety of topics. These insights will then help the FDA draft new policies and make other important decisions.

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Generative AI explains echo results to heart patients

Researchers used OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology to build 100 patient-friendly echo reports, evaluating each one for accuracy, relevance and understandability. The AI reports passed the test with flying colors. 

Around the web

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.

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