In a groundbreaking advancement for cardiovascular health, a team from Caristo Diagnostics, an Oxford University spinout company, has developed a revolutionary AI tool capable of identifying individuals at risk of heart attacks up to a decade in advance. This innovation, hailed as “game-changing” by leading scientists, is set to transform how heart disease is detected and managed.
A Revolutionary Approach to Heart Attack Prevention
The AI technology developed by Caristo Diagnostics focuses on detecting heart inflammation that traditional CT scans often miss. While CT scans rely on a combination of X-rays and computer technology to create detailed images of the heart, they have limitations when it comes to identifying subtle, yet dangerous, biological changes. The new AI tool overcomes this by analyzing data to reveal signs of inflammation in the coronary arteries—an early indicator of potential heart attacks.
This advanced capability could have significant implications for preventive medicine. By identifying at-risk individuals long before they exhibit symptoms or experience a heart attack, doctors can intervene earlier, potentially saving lives and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
NHS England’s Pilot Project
Supported by NHS England, a pilot project is currently being conducted across five hospital trusts in Oxford, Milton Keynes, Leicester, Liverpool, and Wolverhampton. This initiative aims to assess the effectiveness of the AI tool in real-world clinical settings. A decision on whether to implement the technology across the NHS is expected in the coming months.
The technology is also being adapted for broader applications, including the prevention of diabetes and strokes, making it a versatile tool in the fight against chronic diseases. Professor Keith Channon of the University of Oxford emphasized the transformative nature of this innovation, 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, which precedes the development of narrowings and blockages within the heart.”
How the AI Tool Works
In the ongoing pilot, patients experiencing chest pain and referred for a routine CT scan have their scans analyzed by Caristo Diagnostics’ CaRi-Heart AI platform. This platform uses sophisticated algorithms to detect signs of coronary inflammation and plaque buildup. The findings are then verified by trained medical professionals, ensuring the accuracy of the diagnosis.
Research has consistently linked increased coronary inflammation to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and fatal heart attacks. By identifying this inflammation early, the AI tool can guide doctors in making informed decisions about patient care, potentially prescribing medication or recommending lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of future cardiac events.
The Impact on Cardiovascular Health
According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), approximately 7.6 million people in the UK are living with heart disease, which costs the NHS in England an estimated £7.4 billion annually. With around 350,000 cardiac CT scans performed each year in the UK, the integration of this AI technology could significantly enhance the effectiveness of these scans.
The Orfan study (Oxford Risk Factors and Non-invasive Imaging), which involved 40,000 patients and was published in The Lancet, highlighted the urgent need for better diagnostic tools. The study revealed that 80% of patients referred back to primary care after a CT scan did not receive a defined prevention or treatment plan, despite having underlying conditions that could lead to serious heart issues.
The AI tool developed by Caristo Diagnostics could change this narrative. The study found that patients with coronary artery inflammation had a 20 to 30 times higher risk of dying from a cardiac event within the next 10 years. By using this AI technology, 45% of these high-risk patients were prescribed medication or encouraged to adopt lifestyle changes to prevent heart attacks.
A New Era in Cardiac Care
As the NHS considers the widespread adoption of this technology, the potential benefits are immense. The ability to detect and address heart disease long before it manifests in a life-threatening event could revolutionize healthcare, saving countless lives and reducing the financial strain on the healthcare system. With ongoing advancements and trials, this AI tool could soon become a standard part of cardiovascular care, ushering in a new era of preventive medicine.
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