The National Health Service (NHS) in England is set to conduct a trial of an innovative AI tool that can predict patients’ risk of developing heart disease, worsening conditions, and even early death by analyzing electrocardiogram (ECG) results.
Developed by researchers at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, the AI model has been trained using extensive international data sets to accurately assess ECG readings and forecast the likelihood of future health outcomes.
Known as AI-ECG risk estimation, or AIRE, this technology interprets the electrical signals in the heart chambers to provide valuable insights into patients’ health risks. A study published in Lancet Digital Health revealed that AIRE could predict the risk of mortality over a 10-year period with a 78% accuracy rate.
Plans are underway to commence trials of AIRE with patients at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2025. Dr. Fu Siong Ng, a leading expert in cardiac electrophysiology at Imperial College London, highlighted the potential of using AI models to enhance patient care, optimize resource allocation, and improve health outcomes.
The British Heart Foundation, which supported this research, recognizes the transformative impact of AI in diagnostic processes and anticipates the integration of AI tools like AIRE in routine clinical practice. By harnessing the power of AI, healthcare professionals can make informed decisions, provide timely treatments, and enhance patient support.
With the prospect of integrating AI technologies into the NHS within the next five years, the healthcare sector is poised to revolutionize patient care and advance medical interventions through innovative predictive tools like AIRE.
