OXFORD: Caristo Diagnostics, an Oxford University spinout, has unveiled a groundbreaking AI technology detects heart attack risks by identifying hidden coronary inflammation. This innovative model, described as “game-changing” by scientists, can detect heart inflammation that remains invisible on traditional CT scans. These scans, typically a combination of X-rays and computer technology, have limitations that this AI aims to overcome.
AI-Powered Heart Attack Risk Detection
Currently, a pilot project supported by NHS England is underway at five hospital trusts across Oxford, Milton Keynes, Leicester, Liverpool, and Wolverhampton. The NHS is expected to make a decision on the technology’s broader adoption in the coming months.
Broader Applications for Disease Prevention
Furthermore, this technology is being adapted for the prevention of other diseases, such as diabetes and strokes. Professor Keith Channon from the University of Oxford remarked, “This technology is transformative and game-changing because, for the first time, we can detect the biological processes invisible to the human eye that precede the development of narrowing and blockages within the heart.”
How the AI Technology Works
In practice, patients experiencing chest pain who undergo routine CT scans have their scans analyzed by Caristo Diagnostics’ CaRi-Heart AI platform. This platform uses algorithms to detect coronary inflammation and plaque, with results verified by trained operators. Research indicates that increased inflammation correlates with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and fatal heart attacks.
Impact on Heart Disease in the UK
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) highlights that approximately 7.6 million people in the UK live with heart disease, costing NHS England £7.4 billion annually. About 350,000 cardiac CT scans are performed each year in the UK.
Findings from the Orfan Study
The Orfan study (Oxford Risk Factors and Non-invasive Imaging), which included 40,000 patients and was published in The Lancet, found that 80% of participants were returned to primary care without a specific prevention or treatment plan. This study also revealed that patients with coronary artery inflammation faced a 20 to 30 times higher risk of dying from a cardiac event over the next decade. Notably, 45% of these patients, using this AI technology, were prescribed medication or advised to make lifestyle changes to prevent future heart attacks.
About the Author
Asher Vale is a content writer at AiBlock Insider, specializing in blockchain and AI. With a knack for simplifying complex topics, Asher creates engaging and informative articles that keep readers up-to-date with the latest tech trends.
