The Rundown AI: We all know the stethoscope … but what does AI add to it?


🩺 AI stethoscope spots hidden heart problems
Image source: British Heart Foundation
The Rundown: Researchers from Imperial College London published a study on using an AI-powered stethoscope that can detect major heart issues in just seconds, finding significant increases in potential life-saving early diagnoses over traditional tools.
The details:
The study tested the card-sized device across 200 doctors’ offices with over 12,000 patients, finding 2x rates of heart failure detection.The AI analyzes heartbeat patterns and blood flow variations undetectable to human ears while simultaneously capturing ECG readings.The cloud-based AI algorithms process waveform data from over 12,000 patient recordings to flag at-risk individuals within seconds.Patients examined with the device also showed 3.5x higher detection of atrial fibrillation and nearly double the diagnosis rate for valve disease.
Why it matters: Like other AI medical tools, the key upgrade with the AI stethoscope, which is set to be rolled out across the UK, is proactive prevention. This implementation is also a great example of how a tool invented (and barely changed) since the 1800s can gain incredible powers with a bit of AI integrated into the design.
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About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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