AI-driven technologies could improve diagnostic capabilities, patient outcomes and clinical workflows. These technologies leverage machine learning algorithms and vast datasets to provide more accurate diagnoses and patient care.
In cardiology, AI-powered devices are changing how heart conditions are detected, monitored and treated. Algorithms developed by medtech companies can analyze complex data from ECGs, ultrasounds and other cardiac tests more efficiently than gold-standard methods. Many companies have released data related to AI technologies that show the algorithms have sped up diagnostic processes and offered more reliable results.
AI has other benefits in cardiology. Some medical device companies are using it to facilitate remote monitoring and telehealth. One company in our roundup developed a portable, AI-enabled ECG device that allows patients to track heart health from home and transmit data to healthcare providers to be analyzed in real time.
Other companies use AI’s predictive capabilities to provide early warning signs of conditions like AFib or heart failure. The predictive approach has been shown to improve patient outcomes.
Many medtech companies have incorporated AI into their cardiology devices this year. Here are nine of the latest stories about AI-powered cardiology devices.
AliveCor has positive study results for handheld, AI-powered ECG
“These data demonstrate how the accuracy of Kardia 12L and KardiaMobile 6L can help facilitate expanded use of AI-guided ECG diagnosis across a wide range of clinical settings — empowering both consumers and healthcare providers with solutions that rival traditional devices, but with the added benefits of portability, ease of use and accessibility,” said Dr. David Albert, founder and chief medical officer of AliveCor.
Philips unveils new AI-powered cardiovascular ultrasound
The FDA recently cleared Philips’ next-generation AI-enabled cardiovascular ultrasound platform. The Amsterdam-based company designed the platform to speed up cardiac ultrasound analysis with proven AI technology. Philips says the technology automates measurements and speeds up workflows, increasing productivity.
Philips trained the AI using anonymized patient data sets from real-life clinical environments. The AI features automate ultrasound interpretation to give clinicians the ability to analyze images with increased speed, efficiency, and accuracy in real-time.
UltraSight works with Mayo Clinic on next-gen cardiac care with AI
Another example of AI-powered cardiology involves a collaboration between UltraSight and Mayo Clinic to enhance cardiac care through artificial intelligence in point-of-care ultrasounds. The partners will jointly develop algorithms for analyzing and interpreting cardiac ultrasound images to help healthcare providers make more informed diagnoses and treatment decisions.
“We firmly believe that point-of-care ultrasound, when enhanced by the capabilities of AI, holds potential to optimize patient care. Through this collaboration, we plan to enhance our solution to detect and manage cardiac conditions in a more scalable and cost-effective way, ultimately helping more patients receive timely treatment,” UltraSight CEO Davidi Vortman said in a news release.
Read more about the partnership >>
Volta Medical has positive data for AI-powered AFib treatment
The Volta system creates a tailored cardiac ablation procedure for patients. Volta designed it to provide cardiologists with real-time identification of specific abnormal electrograms.
HeartBeam AI with VCG outperforms cardiologists in detecting arrhythmias
HeartBeam recently announced study results that showed HeartBeam AI with vectorcardiography (VCG) outperformed an expert panel of heart rhythm cardiologists in detecting atrial flutter. HeartBeam AI plus VCG outperformed the panel reviewing single-lead ECGs with a statistically significant 40% improvement in atrial flutter detection. For 12-lead ECGs, the AI and VCG outperformed the panel by 6% (also statistically significant). The technology delivered zero variability in the detection of atrial flutter compared to the EP panel.
“The AI algorithm overall outperformed a panel of electrophysiologists in distinguishing atrial flutter from sinus rhythm with perfect agreement between multiple model predictions compared to significant interobserver variability amongst electrophysiologists, a finding particularly notable on single lead ECG analysis,” Dr. Joshua Lampert, who presented the HeartBeam data at Heart Rhythm Society 2024, said.
Find out more about how the company trained the algorithm and more study results >>
Medtronic adds AI to Linq insertable cardiac monitor to reduce false alerts
Medtronic applied AI to its Reveal Line insertable cardiac monitor devices to help detect arrhythmias and reduce false alerts and improve information accuracy. The medtech giant rolled out the AccuRhythm AI update, which applies deep learning algorithms flowing into the CareLink network to remove false AFib and false pause episodes.
Medtronic expects the addition of the algorithms to reduce false AFib and pause alerts by 85% cumulatively. Additionally, it projects the preservation of true alerts at a rate of 98.2% (AFib) and 99.9% (pause).
Get the full details about the new AI >>
Biosense Webster launches new AI-powered version of heart mapping tech
CartoSound FAM uses AI for intracardiac ultrasound to automatically generate the left atrial anatomy before inserting the catheter into the left atrium. Biosense Webster suggests the incorporation of AI could save time while also providing a highly accurate map.
Read more about the new AI models in Biosense Webster’s devices >>
Exo adds AI-powered cardiac, lung apps to handheld ultrasound
Exo in April launched its FDA-cleared cardiac and lung AI applications for its Iris handheld ultrasound device. The AI applications are trained on more than 100,000 images from POCUS exams from real-world settings. The company designed the AI algorithm to recognize internal landmarks on less-than-perfect scans to give caregivers real-time data needed to make informed decisions without lab-quality ultrasounds.
Exo’s lung AI can reliably identify the presence of B-lines in one quick scan to allow users to quickly assess a patient for pulmonary edema or fluid in the lungs. The cardiac AI allows doctors to quickly measure left ventricle ejection fraction and stroke volume in a few heartbeats in parasternal long axis and apical four-chamber views.
Learn more about Exo’s Iris device >>
Biotronik unveils new AI-powered insertable cardiac monitor
“AI and connected cardiac solutions have the potential to revolutionize healthcare,” said Biotronik President of CRM/EP Dr. Andreas Hecker. “Our latest innovation, BioMonitor IV, will propel the field of cardiac monitoring in this new direction.”
