Researchers funded by the British Heart Foundation have developed an AI algorithm that can identify individuals at high risk of conditions leading to heart-related death. This groundbreaking study, presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in London, showcased the potential of AI in early detection and prevention.
The AI tool, named OPTIMISE, was trained using health records of over two million patients aged 30 and above. It successfully identified over 400,000 people at high risk of heart-related death, with 74% of them facing this outcome at a 10-year follow-up.
Dr. Ramesh Nadarajah from the University of Leeds emphasized the importance of timely care in preventing heart-related deaths. He stated that the AI technology can provide valuable insights to healthcare professionals and ultimately benefit patients with heart and circulatory diseases.
The pilot study of OPTIMISE on high-risk patients demonstrated promising results, with one in five receiving a kidney disease diagnosis that would have gone undetected. Additionally, more than half of those with high blood pressure were provided with better medication management to reduce their risk.
Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the BHF, highlighted the significance of early diagnosis in reducing heart-related deaths. He expressed optimism in the potential of AI technology to improve clinical decision-making and ensure timely treatment for patients.
The researchers aim to integrate OPTIMISE into GP systems to help identify high-risk patients. They plan to conduct a larger clinical trial and potentially roll out the AI tool for use by GPs within the next two years.
In a related development, a report commissioned by NHS England highlighted the efficacy of autonomous AI in improving the effectiveness and reducing wait times for skin cancer pathways. The continuous advancement of AI technology holds great promise in enhancing healthcare outcomes and saving lives.
