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Artificial intelligence (AI) helps general practitioners (GPs) analyze health records and identify patients at high risk of heart-related death using a tool known as Optimise, developed by researchers at the University of Leeds and presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in London.
This tool examined the extensive health records dating from 1998 to 2008 of over two million people. It flagged more than 400,000 individuals as high-risk candidates for heart-related diseases such as heart failure, stroke, and diabetes. This high-risk group accounts for 74% of patients who died from heart-related conditions, showcasing impressive results.
Dr. Ramesh Nadarajah, a health data research fellow at the University of Leeds, stated that heart-related deaths often stem from multiple factors. “This AI uses readily available data to gather new insights that could help healthcare professionals ensure that they are providing timely care for their patients,” she said.
The AI ran a pilot program involving 82 high-risk patients, during which it discovered that 20% of the participants had undiagnosed moderate or high-risk chronic kidney disease. Additionally, more than half of the patients with high blood pressure received different medications to better manage their heart risk.
The study’s promising results have generated optimism among healthcare professionals and researchers. The implications of this AI tool are far-reaching, potentially alleviating pressures on the National Health Service (NHS) by facilitating intervention and allowing the GPs to identify high-risk patients with a push of a button.
Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the study, emphasized the importance of early diagnosis. He noted that a quarter of all deaths in the UK are attributable to heart and circulatory diseases, and early detection through AI technology could significantly reduce hospital admissions and mortality rates.
“We look forward to seeing how this will help accelerate and inform clinical decision-making, ensuring patients receive timely and effective treatment and support,” he added.
Dr. Nadarajah believes that preventing conditions from worsening is often cheaper than treatment. Additionally, they have plans to conduct a larger clinical trial, aiming to integrate Optimise into GP systems within two years.
“We hope our research will ultimately benefit patients living with heart and circulatory diseases, as well as helping relieve pressure off our NHS systems,” Dr. Nadarajah said. “Next, we plan to perform a clinical trial where we are providing doctor-led care to patients.”
Recent studies indicate that AI holds vast potential in the realm of cardiovascular disease, with an increasing number of researchers focusing on this intersection. The most intensive research efforts are seen in cardiovascular imaging techniques and algorithm selection, with expectations of substantial growth in these domains in the near future.
