A new generation of diagnostic testing that utilises machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI), combined with testing for the presence of diagnostic markers, and with specific algorithms is starting to deliver a new era of diagnostic accuracy for cardiovascular disease.
Significantly improving accuracy of heart diagnostics
According to recent reports following the 2021 American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions, the new technology combinations significantly improve the accuracy of standard-of-care stress tests, coronary artery calcium scores, single blood tests such as troponin, genetic markers, clinical risk scores (such as Framingham risk) and multi-protein tests.
Resting ECGs do not normally provide sufficient information on the heart condition. Exercice ECG or treadmill tests (TMT) are notoriously inaccurate with high FP (false positive rates) and these can result in unnecessary referrals for invasive coronary angiography. According to the European Heart Journal, "Half of positive TMT were FP in a population of patients referred for ICA following clinical judgment and a TMT positive for ischemia". Individual blood tests in isolation also fall short in providing the full picture.
New generation of heart diagnostics
Simple, accurate, non-invasive tests are therefore going to be highly preferred. The ability to accurately detect and predict the presence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is primary aim in most clinical settings. The latest technologies include the (AI)-driven HART platform from Prevencio Inc.
Ahead of the standard curve
Machine learning (AI) is now spearheading most new medical initiatives and this is naturally impacting on pathology (clinical laboratory testing) too. Combining sources of data such as clinical informatics, genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and biostatistics - into clinical practice is upgrading many approaches for patient care.
This development will be good news for patients admitted to A&E with adverse cardiac events or acute chest pain who require rapid and accurate diagnostic testing for myocardial infarction (heart attack). Also, in outpatients where a noninvasive test can identify obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) where chest pain needs to be evaluated. The test might also improve diagnostic accuracy as well as management with triage throughput, and secondary prevention.
