Summary
Researchers in the UK have developed an AI-powered stethoscope that can quickly detect heart failure, heart valve disease, and abnormal heart rhythms. This new tool could help doctors diagnose these conditions much faster than before and allow for quicker treatment.
Key Facts
- An AI stethoscope can find three heart conditions: heart failure, heart valve disease, and abnormal heart rhythms.
- The device works almost instantly by using a microphone to pick up sounds the human ear cannot hear.
- A study involved using the AI stethoscope on more than 12,000 patients and compared their outcomes to those where the device was not used.
- Patients checked with the AI device were over twice as likely to be diagnosed with heart failure sooner.
- Abnormal heart rhythms were 3.5 times more detectable with the AI stethoscope.
- The research was conducted by Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
- Plans are in place to introduce the AI stethoscopes to GP practices in parts of the UK.
- The results were presented at the European Society of Cardiology annual congress in Madrid.
