• AI & Machine Learning
• Health Tech

Revolutionizing heart failure detection: Mayo Clinic’s HEAR AI tool receives FDA clearance

February 17, 2023

• The AI-powered tool, called the HEAR AI (Heart Failure Expert Advisory System), was developed by a team of researchers at the Mayo Clinic.
• The HEAR AI tool analyzes ECG data from a patient’s heart, looking for patterns associated with heart failure.
• The FDA clearance of the HEAR AI tool developed at the Mayo Clinic is a significant step forward in using AI in healthcare, especially cardiology.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently cleared an artificial intelligence (AI)-a powered tool developed at the Mayo Clinic that can help physicians detect heart failure earlier and more accurately.

The AI-powered tool, called the HEAR AI (Heart Failure Expert Advisory System), was developed by a team of researchers at the Mayo Clinic led by Dr. Paul Friedman. It uses advanced algorithms to analyze electrocardiogram (ECG) data, which can help doctors identify patients who may be at risk of developing heart failure.

Heart failure is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, leading to a range of symptoms, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs and feet. Early detection and treatment of heart failure are critical to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.

Traditionally, doctors have relied on physical examinations and other diagnostic tests to detect heart failure. However, these methods can be time-consuming, expensive, and may only sometimes be accurate. The HEAR AI tool addresses these limitations by using AI to analyze ECG data, a quick, non-invasive, and widely available test.

The HEAR AI tool analyzes ECG data from a patient’s heart, looking for patterns associated with heart failure. The AI algorithms can identify subtle changes in the ECG signals that may indicate an increased risk of heart failure. The tool then gives physicians a risk score, which can help them decide whether further testing or treatment is necessary.

It is expected to significantly impact patient care by enabling earlier and more accurate detection of heart failure. This could lead to earlier interventions, such as lifestyle changes or medication, which could prevent or delay the onset of heart failure. The tool could also help physicians make more informed decisions about using more invasive diagnostic tests, such as echocardiography or cardiac catheterization.

The FDA clearance of the HEAR AI tool developed at the Mayo Clinic is a significant step forward in using AI in healthcare, especially in cardiology. The tool is highly accurate in clinical trials, with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 87%. This means the device can accurately identify patients at risk of heart failure while minimizing the risk of false positives.

As AI continues to evolve and become more sophisticated, we can expect to see more innovative tools and technologies that will transform how we diagnose and treat various medical conditions.