LHeart health and the prevention of acute myocardial infarctions (called Stemi) are about to receive enormous help from Artificial Intelligence (AI). In fact, a SIC study is underway which compares the capabilities of an artificial intelligence model with those of the specialist in diagnosing severe acute myocardial infarctions defined as STEMI. The first results indicate that the algorithm is capable of carrying out a greater number of diagnoses more precise and timely and effective treatments.
Heart attack prevention: the cardiologist and AI are allies
Artificial Intelligence and the experience of the cardiologist united to prevent the most acute heart diseases. But according to the latest studies, the algorithm is ahead of the specialist in the diagnosis of STEMI myocardial infarction and its complexity. For the first time in Italy i cardiologists of the SIC (Italian Society of Cardiology) will illustrate them potential of an artificial intelligence modeldeveloped bySeoul Universityin the automatic diagnosis of myocardial infarction starting from a standard electrocardiogram (ECG)..
Automatic diagnosis thanks to the Algorithm with a “simple” nm electrocardiogram
The numbers are particularly reassuring. The algorithm that scientists are testing in more than 100 patients has proven to have a98.7% accuracy in the detection of a myocardial infarction STEMI. But not only. Artificial intelligence has managed to expose false heart attack diagnoses STEMI and to evaluate heart rhythm and even left ventricular function, starting from a simple electrocardiogram.
Heart attack prevention in Italy: how much speed matters
Every year around 120 thousand Italians have an acute myocardial infarction and of these 25 thousand die before arriving at hospital, while just over 90 thousand arrive on time. «When a patient with chest pain activate the 118 emergency system, it is of fundamental importance to carry out a electrocardiogram within 10 minutes from the first medical contact, as recommended by the guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology. This is mainly used to identify subjects with a serious heart attack, called STEMI, which is caused by a complete coronary occlusion and who, therefore, benefit from an angioplasty and an urgent stent”, explains Ciro Indolfi, past president of the Italian Society of Cardiology, full professor of cardiology and Italian leader of the study on artificial intelligence in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
An opportunity for everyone, especially for women
«It is an opportunity for everyone, especially for women who often neglect their pain, heartache, and think about other things. It will be a great opportunity so that women can be saved as soon as possible”, comments the Professor Stefano Carugo, director of Cardiology at the Milan Polyclinic. A comment that also appears as a warm invitation from Professor Carugo to women to take better care of their health, not to postpone an annual check-up and not to always and only think about the health of others.
Every minute counts
«In patients with STEMI myocardial infarction every minute counts to save lives and the possibility of a timely diagnosis will allow us to further reduce the impact of cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death in Italy in both men and women in the future”, adds Professor Indolfi. The time saved can also make the difference between life and death. «In patients with STEMI myocardial infarction, time is muscle: the more it passes, the more extensive and irreversible the cardiac damage is, says Indolfi. «The possibility of speeding up access to the cath lab, thanks to the use of artificial intelligence it will mean saving human lives and preventing a whole series of complications such as heart failure and serious arrhythmias. It will be enough to photograph the electrocardiogram of a patient with chest pain with a smartphone to obtain the diagnosis of a heart attack and its severity».
Electrocardiogram: its limits and potential with AI
The electrocardiogram is the graphic reproduction of the electrical activity of the heart recorded at the surface of the body. «However, with the electrocardiogram it is not possible to evaluate the contractility of the left ventricle, the right ventricle or the left atrium», warns Indolfi. «The artificial intelligence model we are testing, however, has the possibility of have additional information not visible to the human eyeas the left ventricular functionthe potassiumthe critical issues of the patient, the heart rhythm or the presence of a pericardial effusion starting from a simple ECG. All these perspectives open up new future scenarios.”
Heart attack prevention, the AI alliance will save many lives
Furthermore, the possibility of resorting to the support of artificial intelligence could help guide the medical decisions of first aid services, medical guards, and ambulances to initiate certain treatments in the field or alert hospitals of the arrival of a high-risk patient. It could similarly help identify low-risk patients who do not need to go to hospital with cath, which could improve pre-hospital triage and reduce inappropriate admissions.
Complex diagnoses will become clearer
«In the future, increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence systems will be available which will enter the world of Cardiology as allies of specialists and patients» adds Pasquale Perrone Filardi, SIC president and director of the graduate school of the Federico II University of Naples.
«Artificial intelligence will allow us to carry out complex diagnosessuch as those of heart attack, of aortic stenosisOf cardiomyopathy you hate heart failureor starting from a simple electrocardiogram.”
A new phase of Cardiology
«We are faced with one new phase of cardiology and we must be prepared for these changed scenarios which include important critical issues such as the accuracy of diagnosis and medico-legal responsibilities. Artificial intelligence will not replace the doctor, but the ‘digital’ cardiologist will surpass the one who does not use artificial intelligence which allows for more precise diagnoses with targeted and more effective treatment”, concludes Filardi.
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