AI-Powered Stethoscope Diagnoses Heart Conditions in 15 Seconds

AI-Powered Stethoscope Diagnoses Heart Conditions in 15 Seconds
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Researchers from Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust have developed an AI-enabled stethoscope that can detect three major heart conditions within 15 seconds, NDTV reported. This advanced device improves on the traditional stethoscope by analysing subtle heartbeat and blood flow changes, while simultaneously performing a quick ECG for a comprehensive cardiac assessment.

The technology was showcased at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid, highlighting its potential to enable earlier diagnosis of heart failure, heart valve disease, and atrial fibrillation. In a large UK study involving around 12,000 patients across 200 clinics, the AI stethoscope doubled the detection rate of heart failure, tripled atrial fibrillation diagnoses, and nearly doubled heart valve disease identification compared to conventional methods.

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan of the British Heart Foundation praised the innovation, emphasizing its role in enabling timely treatment and improving patient outcomes. This breakthrough marks a significant advancement in cardiac diagnostic tools through artificial intelligence.