- Artificial intelligence-powered stethoscopes could enable medics to detect three different heart conditions rapidly, potentially revolutionising early diagnosis.
- The technology, described as a "game-changer", can identify heart failure, heart valve disease, and abnormal heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation) by analysing subtle heartbeats and blood flow, alongside recording electrical activity.
- The upgraded stethoscope replaces the traditional chest piece with a playing card-sized device that takes an ECG and records heart sounds, sending data to the cloud for AI analysis, with results sent to a smartphone.
- A trial involving over 12,700 patients across 96 GP surgeries in London found the AI stethoscope significantly increased the likelihood of diagnosing heart failure (2.33 times), atrial fibrillation (3.45 times), and heart valve disease (1.92 times) compared to standard care.
- Experts from the British Heart Foundation and Imperial College London highlight the innovation's potential for earlier diagnosis and treatment, with plans to roll out the devices to more GP practices in Wales, south London, and Sussex.
IN FULL
AI stethoscope would help doctors pick up heart conditions within seconds
