AI may identify irregular heartbeats in people before they show any symptoms: Research

An artificial intelligence system may spot an abnormal cardiac rhythm in people even before they exhibit any symptoms, according to research. The method, which found hidden signals in normal medical diagnostic procedures, may help doctors better protect patients with atrial fibrillation, the most common kind of heart rhythm disease, from strokes and other cardiovascular problems. "This research allows for better identification of a hidden heart condition and informs the best way to develop algorithms that are equitable and generalizable to all patients," said David Ouyang, MD, a cardiologist in the Department of Cardiology in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, a researcher in the Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, and senior author of the study. "This study of veterans was geographically and ethnically diverse, indicating that the application of this algorithm could benefit the general population in the U.S.," said Sumeet Chugh, MD, director of the Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine in the Department of Medicine and medical director of the Heart Rhythm Center in the Department of Cardiology.