We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
RANDOX LABORATORIES

Download Mobile App




AI-Powered Smart Stethoscope Can Screen for Heart Failure During Physical Exams

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 13 Nov 2022
Print article
Image: Eko Smart Stethoscope (Photo courtesy of Eko)
Image: Eko Smart Stethoscope (Photo courtesy of Eko)

An independent study has validated the first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered device to screen for heart failure during a standard physical exam.

The study conducted by Eko (Oakland, CA, USA) and the Imperial College of London (London, UK), in conjunction with the UK National Health Service, has highlighted Eko's ability to screen patients for heart failure in seconds with AI during physical exams. Eko's low ejection fraction algorithm (ELEFT) detects a weakened heart pump, which is present in about half of heart failure patients.

In the study, the algorithm's performance at detecting a weak heart pump was excellent compared to the current gold standard of echocardiography. Approximately 26 million people are estimated to have heart failure worldwide. Diagnosis is a significant challenge given that heart failure symptoms are also associated with many other conditions and detection often requires a series of expensive tests. Using the Eko DUO ECG + Digital Stethoscope with ELEFT, heart failure caused by a weakened heart pump can be detected in seconds during a stethoscope exam.

The study found that when 15-second recordings were taken with the DUO at one chest location, the algorithm was 81% accurate at identifying normal and impaired heart pumping function. Accuracy went up to 86% when two recording locations were used. The tool will be submitted to the FDA under "Breakthrough Designation" for a formal review later this year.

"This tool allows healthcare professionals to reliably rule in or rule out heart failure at the point of care," said Dr. Nicholas Peters, Professor of Cardiology, Imperial College London. "The result will be earlier diagnosis and treatment and the avoidance of unnecessary and expensive tests for those in whom heart failure is ruled out. This means better and more cost-effective healthcare. It's a total game-changer."

"The superhuman capability to screen patients at any point of care, including before surgery, should challenge the unacceptable reality that 80% of patients with heart failure are currently diagnosed through an emergency hospital admission," said Dr. Patrick Bachtiger, lead author and a clinical research fellow at the UK's National Heart and Lung Institute. "The current clinical pathway simply misses too many patients, leaving them undiagnosed until very sick. This tool can save time and money and unlock major benefits for patients through early diagnosis and effective treatments."

"This is a landmark study for multiple reasons," said Dr. Adam Saltman, Chief Medical Officer at Eko. "The investigators showed that the low ejection fraction detection algorithm can quickly, easily, and effectively identify the patients who have impaired heart pumping function, even if those patients don't yet have symptoms."

Related Links:
Eko 
Imperial College of London 

Gold Member
STI Test
Vivalytic Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Array
Flocked Fiber Swabs
Puritan® patented HydraFlock®
New
Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting
VirtuoSaph Plus
New
Infant Phototherapy Unit
TRP100

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: AI could tackle the huge problem of antimicrobial resistance in intensive care (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

AI Provides Same-Day Prediction of Bloodstream Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance in ICU Patients

Antimicrobial resistance, which refers to the ability of microorganisms to develop defenses against treatments, presents a significant challenge to global healthcare. Infections in the bloodstream can... Read more

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: Robots could help close surgeons’ skill gaps and improve patient outcomes (Photo courtesy of Intuitive Surgical)

Robots to Play Larger Role in Surgery Due to Recent AI Developments

Surgeons commonly utilize robots for specific minimally invasive procedures, yet humans still dictate nearly all movements of these machines. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The portable biosensor platform uses printed electrochemical sensors for the rapid, selective detection of Staphylococcus aureus (Photo courtesy of AIMPLAS)

Portable Biosensor Platform to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections

Approximately 4 million patients in the European Union acquire healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections each year, with around 37,000 deaths directly resulting from these infections,... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.