Tech & Innovation in Healthcare

Question: I’m a cardiologist and I’ve had several patients present to our clinic in the past year at risk of developing AFib. I’m also watching the development of AI closely, and I was wondering if there are technological advances that combine cardiology and AI?

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Answer: Cardiology is one of several healthcare specialties where researchers are exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in detecting and diagnosing heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation (AFib). In fact, here’s one example of AI and AFib detection joining forces.

On June 26, 2024, Tempus AI announced it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 501(k) clearance for the company’s Tempus ECG-AF algorithm. The AI-based algorithm assesses 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements and identifies patients who are at risk of experiencing AFib within the next year. In a prepared statement, Tempus AI noted that the algorithm’s results should be factored into a clinician’s medical decision making along with “other diagnostic information, including the patient’s original ECG recordings and other tests, as well as the patient’s symptoms and clinical history.”

The AI algorithm is designed for use with patients 65 years or older without a known history of AFib or other specified conditions.

“We believe that there are too many patients who die from [AFib]-related causes unnecessarily due to underdiagnosis or undertreatment,” said Brandon Fornwalt, MD, PhD, senior vice president of cardiology at Tempus in the Tempus statement. “The clearance of Tempus ECG-AF allows us to better support clinicians in potentially finding patients much earlier, when treatments can be more effective,” he added.