AI Detects Heart Disease in CT Scans Originally Meant for Other Purposes
AI Unlocks Hidden heart Risks in routine Scans, Study Finds
New York, NY – A groundbreaking study from NYU Langone Health reveals that routine CT scans, originally intended for other purposes, can now be used to detect hidden signs of heart disease. Using artificial intelligence (AI), researchers where able to analyze abdominal CT scans and accurately predict a patient’s risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks.
This innovative approach,known as “opportunistic screening,” repurposes existing medical images to diagnose illnesses beyond their initial purpose.
“Rather of relying on dedicated CT scans of coronary arteries, which are rare and not always covered by insurance, to find perhaps fatal heart disease, we seek to use AI to help screen abdominal CT scans that are done for many reasons to opportunistically catch heart disease more frequently enough and earlier,” said Dr.miriam A. Bredella, senior investigator of the study and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Professor of Radiology at NYU grossman School of Medicine.The study, presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) meeting in Chicago, analyzed over 3,600 abdominal CT scans taken between 2013 and 2023. These scans, primarily performed on older men and women in the New York area, captured portions of the aorta, the major artery running from the heart through the abdomen.
Using AI, researchers measured the amount of calcium buildup in the aorta, a key indicator of cardiovascular disease. This data was then used to predict a patient’s risk of experiencing a major cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke.The results were striking. Patients with aortic artery calcification were 2.2 times more likely to suffer a major heart attack, brain vessel blockage, or require procedures to restore blood flow to the heart within three years.
Moreover, the study revealed that nearly 30% of participants previously thought to have no arterial calcium buildup actually showed early signs of the condition.
This discovery builds upon Dr. Bredella’s previous research, published in the journal bone, which demonstrated the effectiveness of opportunistic screening for osteoporosis using CT scans originally intended for lung cancer screening.
“Our research demonstrates that opportunistic screening could help with diagnosing and treating osteoporosis in vulnerable groups who are at greater risk of the disease, in particular, the elderly and those who smoke,” said Dr. Bredella. “This work establishes the foundation for using opportunistic screening to address the lack of access to osteoporosis and heart disease prevention, as well as to screening for cancer and diabetes.”
While these findings are promising, Dr. Bredella emphasizes the need for further research to determine if early identification through opportunistic screening leads to effective treatment and ultimately reduces illness and death.
The study on aortic calcification was funded by National Institutes of health grants UL1TR001445, R35HL144993, R01AG065330, and R01LM013344.The osteoporosis study was funded by National Institutes of Health grant K24DK109940.
AI Decodes Silent Heart risks in Routine Scans, Says NYU Study
New York, NY – A revolutionary study from NYU Langone Health reveals the potential of using routine abdominal CT scans to detect concealed signs of heart disease. this groundbreaking approach, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), could transform how we identify cardiovascular risks.
Dr. Miriam A. Bredella, lead researcher and Professor of Radiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explained the concept of “opportunistic screening” – repurposing existing medical images for diagnoses beyond their initial purpose.
“Instead of relying on dedicated coronary artery CT scans, which are often costly and not universally covered by insurance, we utilize AI to detect heart disease indications within widespread abdominal CT scans,” said Dr. Bredella.
The study, showcased at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) meeting in Chicago, analyzed over 3,600 abdominal CT scans gathered between 2013 and 2023. AI algorithms analyzed these scans, mainly conducted on older men and women in New York, focusing on the aorta – the major artery running from the heart through the abdomen.
The study found that patients with calcification in their aortic artery were 2.2 times more likely to experience a major cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, within three years.
Moreover, nearly 30% of participants initially believed to be free of arterial calcification displayed early signs of the condition.
This breakthrough builds upon Dr. bredella’s previous work demonstrating the efficacy of opportunistic screening for osteoporosis using CT scans initially intended for lung cancer screening.
Dr. Bredella emphasizes the need for further research to determine if early detection through opportunistic screening leads to effective treatment and, ultimately, prevents illness and death.However, this pioneering study hints at the wider potential of AI in potentially transforming preventative healthcare.