'Game changer' AI detects hidden heart attack risk

A groundbreaking new technology is making waves in the medical field by helping doctors identify patients who may be at risk of having a heart attack within the next ten years. This innovative technology utilizes a sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) model that analyzes CT scans to detect inflammation in the heart, a condition that often goes unnoticed in traditional scans. CT scans, which combine X-ray images with computer technology, provide a detailed view of the body's internal structures. The AI model is being hailed as 'game changing' by scientists and medical professionals alike. Currently, a pilot project is being conducted at five hospital trusts located in Oxford, Milton Keynes, Leicester, Liverpool, and Wolverhampton, with support from NHS England. The results of this pilot project will help determine whether this technology will be adopted for broader use within the NHS in the coming months. The company behind this AI technology, Caristo Diagnostics, which originated from Oxford University, is also working on adapting the technology to help prevent strokes and diabetes. Professor Keith Channon from the University of Oxford expressed his enthusiasm for the technology, stating, 'This technology is transformative and game changing because for the first time we can detect the biological processes that are invisible to the human eye. ' This means that doctors can identify potential heart issues before they develop into serious conditions. As part of the pilot project, patients who experience chest pain and are referred for a routine CT scan will have their scans analyzed by Caristo Diagnostics' CaRi-Heart AI platform. The AI uses an algorithm to detect coronary inflammation and plaque, which are indicators of heart disease. Trained operators then verify the AI's findings to ensure accuracy. Research has shown that increased inflammation in the heart is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and fatal heart attacks. According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), approximately 7. 6 million people in the UK are currently living with heart disease, which costs the NHS in England around £7. 4 billion annually. Each year, about 350,000 patients are referred for cardiac CT scans in the UK. A significant study known as the Orfan study, which involved 40,000 patients, revealed that 80% of individuals were sent back to their primary care doctors without a clear prevention or treatment plan. Researchers focused on this group and discovered that patients with inflammation in their coronary arteries had a 20 to 30 times higher risk of dying from a cardiac event within the next decade. The study, funded by the BHF, found that by utilizing the AI technology, 45% of those patients were either prescribed medication or encouraged to make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of future heart attacks. One participant in the study, Ian Pickard, a 58-year-old man from Barwell in Leicestershire, was referred for a CT scan in November 2023 after experiencing persistent chest pain. He was enrolled in the Orfan study at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. Following the AI analysis, Ian was prescribed statins, advised to quit smoking, and encouraged to increase his physical activity. Ian described the experience as 'a huge wake-up call,' stating, 'And when you see it on paper, you realize how serious it is. It's something you can look at each day and think, 'I've got to do something about this. ' Professor Charalambos Antoniades, the lead of the Orfan study, noted that previous tools for assessing heart disease risk were quite basic, as they could only evaluate general risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, or obesity. He emphasized the importance of the new AI technology, saying, 'Now, with this kind of technology, we know exactly which patient has the disease activity in their arteries before the disease has even developed. ' This advancement allows for early intervention, enabling doctors to treat patients proactively to prevent the progression of heart disease and reduce the likelihood of heart attacks. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently reviewing the technology to determine if it should be implemented across the NHS. Additionally, it is under evaluation in the United States and has already received approval for use in Europe and Australia.