A revolutionary method for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease has been created by scientists from the University of Leeds using artificial intelligence and using the eyes as a vehicle. This system can analyse retinal scans taken during a routine visit to the ophthalmologist and can identify patients at high risk of heart attack over the next year.
After all, there are signs of cardiovascular disease in the retina, identified by changes in its microscopic blood vessels.
According to Nature Machine Intelligence, the researchers, using data from the UK Biobank, found that the artificial intelligence system using predictive algorithms was between 70% and 80% accurate and could be used as a mechanism for an in-depth investigation of cardiovascular health.
In particular, the scientific team analysed scans of the retina and heart of more than 5,000 people. The AI system identified correlations between retinal pathology and changes in the patient's heart. Then, by combining data on estimated left ventricular size and pumping efficiency with basic patient data, the technology could predict with relative accuracy the risk of heart attack over the next 12 months.
Currently, details about the size and pumping efficiency of a patient's left ventricle can only be determined through diagnostic tests such as echocardiography or cardiac MRI, tests that are expensive for the patient.
"This technique may revolutionize screening for heart disease." Retinal scans are relatively inexpensive and are commonly used by several ophthalmologists. As a result of automated screening, patients at high risk of disease could be immediately referred for cardiac testing. The scans could also be used to monitor early signs of heart disease," notes Professor Alex Frangi, who oversaw the research.
Source: ygeiamou.gr
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
