AI technology detects heart attack risk 10 years ahead, revolutionising cardiac care

A new artificial intelligence (AI) technology that identifies individuals at risk of a heart attack within the next decade has been described as “game-changing” by scientists.

This AI model detects inflammation in the heart that traditional CT scans, which combine X-rays and computer technology, may miss.

Currently being piloted at five hospital trusts in Oxford, Milton Keynes, Leicester, Liverpool, and Wolverhampton, the technology’s adoption within the NHS is anticipated in the coming months.

Caristo Diagnostics, an Oxford University spinout, is also working to extend the technology’s applications to stroke and diabetes prevention.

During the pilot, patients with chest pain who undergo routine CT scans have their images analyzed by the CaRi-Heart AI platform.

An algorithm assesses coronary inflammation and plaque, with accuracy verified by trained operators.

Increased inflammation is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and fatal heart attacks.

The Oxford Risk Factors and Non-invasive Imaging (Orfan) study, published in The Lancet, involved 40,000 patients and revealed that 80 percent were returned to primary care without a clear prevention or treatment plan.

The study found that patients with coronary artery inflammation faced a 20 to 30 times higher risk of dying from a cardiac event over the next decade.

Using the AI technology, 45 percent of these patients were either prescribed medication or advised to make lifestyle changes to mitigate future heart attack risks.

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