Artificial intelligence software is on the verge of drastically reducing NHS cardiology waiting lists and allowing heart patients to be diagnosed more quickly.
The program can perform complex measurements in less than a minute, which would normally take doctors about 20 minutes.
Patients with heart problems usually have an MRI scan to determine how enlarged the organ’s chambers are – a sign that it is under stress – and whether they need invasive surgery or can be treated with drugs.
The scan takes about ten different images of the heart, each from a slightly different angle, to create a complete picture.
The program can take complex measurements in less than a minute, which would normally take doctors about 20 minutes (file photo).
Doctors must then print out these scans and carefully measure the size of the chambers by physically drawing on them. Most hospitals perform up to 20 of these lengthy exams per day, and since each exam takes about 20 minutes to analyze, it can take up a significant portion of a cardiologist’s time (file photo).
Doctors must then print out these scans and carefully measure the size of the chambers by physically drawing on them.
Most hospitals perform up to 20 of these lengthy exams per day, and since each analysis takes about 20 minutes, they can take up a significant portion of a cardiologist’s time.
New software called AI segmentation, developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield Medical School, can do the job in less than 60 seconds.
Studies over three years of development have shown it to be highly effective and it has already been introduced at Sheffield Teaching Hospital.
“This is an extremely impressive technology,” said dr. Andrew Swift, a radiology consultant at the hospital who helped develop the tool.
Experts say this could be a turning point in a medical field that has been hit hard by the Covid pandemic.
According to the British Heart Foundation, more than 5,000 Britons with heart problems are waiting 16 weeks or more to get an appointment – nine times the number before the pandemic.
Dr. Swift added: “It doesn’t seem right that doctors should spend so much time drawing on pictures when machines can do the job.
“This should be rolled out across the NHS as it will allow doctors to spend more time with patients at a time when we urgently need to clear the NHS backlog.”
The program won a Medipex NHS Innovation Award for using AI to improve patient service and safety.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
