AI stethoscope would help doctors pick up heart conditions within seconds

Stethoscopes fueled by artificial intelligence (IA) could help doctors detect three different heart conditions in a few seconds, according to the researchers.

Technology is capable of analyzing a subtle difference in beats because

The use of AI in this way could be a “real change of game”, suggest experts, and allow patients with heart failure, heart valve and abnormal heart rhythms, also known as atrial fibrillation, to be treated earlier.

The stethoscope, invented in 1816, allows doctors to listen to the internal sounds of a patient’s body.

His chest – The part of the tool that is placed on the body – includes a “bell”, a small form of cup used to hear sounds at low frequency of the heart.

The new IA stethoscope was “improved for the 21st century” and replaces this piece of chest with a device around the size of a playing card.

This is placed on a patient’s chest to take an ECG (electrocardiogram) – which records electrical signals from the heart – with a microphone recording the sound of the blood flowing through the heart.

This information is then sent to the Cloud and analyzed by the AI ​​trained on data of tens of thousands of people.

A test Result to be pointing if a patient is at the risk of heart failure Or not is then sent to a smartphone.

Another algorithm is capable of detecting atrial fibrillation, which often has no symptoms but can increase the risk of strokes.

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at British Heart Foundation (BHF) and consultant cardiologist, said: “This is an elegant example of how the humble stethoscope, invented over 200 years ago, can be improved for the 21st century.

“We need innovations like these, providing early detection of heart failure, because so often, this condition is only diagnosed with an advanced stage when patients attend the hospital in the event of an emergency.

“Given an earlier diagnosis, people can access the treatment they need to help them live well longer.”

The study of Imperial College London and the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust involved more than 200 General surgeries In London.

The AI ​​stethoscope has been tested on those with certain symptoms – shortness of breath, fatigue or swelling of the legs or lower feet, all signs of heart failure.

Some 12,725 96 surgeries were examined with the AI ​​stethoscope and were then compared to patients with 109 GP surgeries where technology was not used.

The researchers found that the people examined with the device were 2.33 times more likely to be diagnosed with heart failure in the next 12 months.

Meanwhile, the stethoscope was 3.45 times more likely to take cases of atrial fibrillation, and 1.92 times more likely to diagnose the disease of the heart valve, when one of the four valves of the heart does not work properly.

Dr MIRHIR KELSHIKER, member of the research team of Imperial College London And Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, “said,” Most people with heart failure are only diagnosed when they arrive in seriously sick.

“This test shows that AI compatible stethoscopes could change this – by giving GPS A simple and simple tool to locate problems earlier, so that patients can get the right treatment earlier. »»

Dr. Patrik Bachtiger, from the National Heart and Lung Institute of the Imperial College of London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, has added: “The design of the stethoscope has been unchanged for 200 years – so far.

“It is therefore incredible that an intelligent stethoscope can be used for a 15 -second exam, then the AI ​​can quickly provide a test result indicating whether someone has heart failure, atrial fibrillation or a heart valve disease.”

The results of the test, known as knitting, are presented at European Cardiology Society (ESC) Congress in Madrid.

Researchers now plan to deploy stethoscopes to the practices of general practitioners in Wales, south of London and Sussex.

Professor Mike Lewis, scientific director of innovation at the NIHR, who supported the study, said: “This tool could change the situation for patients, brought in innovation directly into the hands of GPS.

“AI stethoscope gives local clinicians the ability to identify problems earlier, to diagnose patients in the community and to deal with some of the major killers in society.”

Professor Nicholas Peters, principal investigator of Imperial College London and Consultant Cardiologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, added: “Our study shows that three heart conditions can now be identified in a single session.

“Above all, this technology is already available for certain patients and is widely used in GP surgeries.”