In the United States, over 6 million people have been diagnosed with heart failure as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On a global scale, over 11 million individuals suffer from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, which indicates a weak heart pump. A recent study published in the journal of the American Medical Association in 2020 has brought attention to this issue.
To address this problem, a revolutionary AI technology developed by the Mayo Clinic in collaboration with Eko Health has received FDA clearance and can identify heart failure within seconds. The traditional stethoscope, introduced in 1816, has now been enhanced with AI technology. Physicians use this tool to listen to the heart and lungs, interpreting the sounds they hear to make diagnostic decisions. However, additional tests such as CT or MRI scans are often required to confirm a diagnosis, along with an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heart’s electrical activity.
Lindsey Theis of Scripps News interviewed Connor Landgraf, CEO of Eko Health and a biomechanical engineer, who has a personal commitment to using AI to enhance healthcare. Landgraf’s family history spurred his quest for better technologies to detect early signs of disease. The Mayo Clinic and Eko Health collaborated to train the AI program by analyzing recordings from over 100,000 patients to interpret heart activity accurately. The AI system can now assess an individual’s heart strength in just 10 to 15 seconds, detecting subtle indicators of heart failure with low ejection fraction that are often challenging to detect.
Dr. Paul Friedman, a cardiac electrophysiologist and cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic, stressed the significance of early detection of heart failure, which can lead to severe complications if left untreated. Effective treatments are available, but it is crucial to identify the condition promptly. The AI-enhanced stethoscope, priced at $429 with a monthly subscription, can revolutionize the diagnosis and management of heart failure in a world where AI is increasingly integrated into various aspects of healthcare. This innovative technology is a significant step forward in improving patient care.