Advanced AI Precision in Analyzing Cardiac CT Scans Predicts Heart Attacks 10 Years Ahead, Paving the Way to Save Numerous Lives

A recent study proposes that artificial intelligence (AI) may forecast heart attack risks a decade in advance, potentially preventing thousands of deaths and enhancing treatment for nearly half of patients.

Conducted by the University of Oxford, the research focused on enhancing the precision of cardiac CT scans, utilizing AI to detect arterial blockages and narrowings, resulting in the accurate prediction of numerous heart attacks. If implemented, this breakthrough could significantly impact healthcare.

Predicting Future Heart Attacks Using AI

A groundbreaking research initiative, supported by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), delved into the potential of AI to revolutionize the precision of cardiac CT scans, a crucial tool for identifying arterial blockages. Professor Charalambos Antoniades, BHF's Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine, revealed that the AI identified high-risk candidates for future heart attacks among seemingly healthy patients, enabling precise risk assessments and tailored treatment plans for better outcomes.

Despite the widespread use of cardiac CT scans, the BHF highlighted a critical shortcoming-failure to detect undetectable narrowings in arteries, contributing significantly to heart attack fatalities. The study analyzed data from 40,000 patients undergoing routine cardiac CT scans across eight UK hospitals, with a median follow-up of 2.7 years.

In the subsequent phase, the AI tool underwent rigorous testing on 3,393 patients over nearly eight years, showing remarkable accuracy in predicting heart attack risks. AI-generated risk scores were presented to medical professionals for 744 patients, resulting in a substantial 45% modification of treatment plans.

Professor Antoniades expressed optimism for widespread NHS implementation of the AI tool, envisioning potential prevention of thousands of avoidable heart attack deaths annually in the UK.

The study emphasized the increased risk of severe heart attacks among patients with "significant" arterial narrowing. Intriguingly, a startling revelation emerged: twice as many patients without apparent significant narrowings also succumbed to sometimes fatal heart attacks.

Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, BHF's Medical Director, underscored the research's profound significance, emphasizing the pivotal role played by AI-based technology in identifying individuals at the utmost risk of future heart attacks.

AI Role in Cardiovascular Medicine

AI has become integral to various aspects of modern life, including medical applications. Today, AI is used to program computers, aiming to process and respond to data swiftly and consistently, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes. It is particularly beneficial in the field of cardiology, as it helps in detecting heart disease, expediting stroke treatment, and improving diagnostic radiology capabilities.

For example, Mayo Clinic applied AI techniques to a screening tool for left ventricular dysfunction, a heart condition without obvious symptoms. The AI-assisted tool identified people at risk of this condition with a remarkable accuracy of 93%, surpassing the accuracy of a mammogram.

Additionally, Mayo Clinic-developed AI is integrated into the Apple Watch to identify a weak heart pump, known as low ventricular ejection fraction. These AI applications complement the expertise of doctors, allowing for more patient-focused care and improved decision-making.

At its core, AI entails machines acquiring the ability to address challenges that conventionally demand human intervention. Progress in computing power has facilitated the systematic and precise analysis of extensive datasets, notably within the healthcare domain.