AI-Powered Screening for Heart Disease and Cardiac Death Risk
Heart diseases often progress silently, without showing any symptoms. Standard electrocardiograms (ECGs), frequently used in routine checkups, provide information on only a limited portion of common heart diseases. This highlights the importance of evaluating heart health using more comprehensive methods. At MediHeart Medical Center, Prof. Dr. Osman Beton offers three different AI-powered screening technologies for early and non-invasive assessment of heart health.
Why Early Screening?
A standard 12-lead ECG assesses the heart's electrical activity with a binary result of normal or abnormal; however, it does not indicate the degree or severity of a disease. Structural problems such as heart failure and valvular diseases can often only be revealed by echocardiography, which usually requires an appointment and a separate specialist evaluation. The three AI-powered scanning technologies used at MediHeart Medical Center are designed to bridge this gap between standard ECG and echocardiography.
Three AI-Powered Scanning Technologies
At MediHeart Medical Center, there are three distinct AI-powered scanning technologies that can be applied independently to address different clinical needs. The focus area and application methods of each are explained below.
Cardio-HART — ECG + Structural Heart Assessment in a Single Session
In addition to a standard ECG, it assesses the structural and functional status of the heart—findings often only visible on echocardiography—in the same examination. It can detect types of heart failure with preserved, mildly diminished, and diminished ejection fraction; and valvular diseases such as aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. It provides results with a high concordance rate with echocardiography measurements. Results are available within 10 minutes and are non-invasive; no needles, radiation, or contrast medium are required. It is suitable for patients with vague symptoms such as shortness of breath, unexplained fatigue, or palpitations, or for those who wish to have a routine heart check-up.
Cardio Explorer — Coronary Risk Assessment Using Blood Values and Clinical Data
Blood biomarkers, ECG findings, symptoms, and clinical risk factors (such as blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes) are evaluated together to calculate the probability of coronary artery disease. It provides a preliminary assessment without the need for radiation, contrast medium, or closed imaging devices. The result guides the decision on whether further imaging (such as angiography or CT scans) is needed. It is suitable for patients with chest pain, shortness of breath on exertion, or atypical chest discomfort who have not previously been diagnosed with coronary artery disease.
Acarix CADScor — Rapid Coronary Risk Screening with Acoustic Sensor
Using a handheld, chest-mounted acoustic sensor, it measures and evaluates microscopic turbulence in blood flow to the heart. This data is processed by an artificial intelligence algorithm to create a personalized risk score. Results are available within 8-10 minutes; it is completely painless and non-invasive. It helps prevent unnecessary further investigations, especially in low-risk patients. It is suitable for patients experiencing stable chest pain who are suspected of having coronary artery disease but have not yet been diagnosed.
How are these three methods different from each other?
Cardio-HART: Structural and Functional Focus
Cardio-HART provides a single-session assessment of the structural and functional condition of the heart along with an ECG; it is a non-invasive and rapid first-line approach.
Cardio Explorer: Focusing on Blood Values and Clinical Risk Factors
Cardio Explorer calculates a risk score by evaluating blood biomarkers and clinical risk factors (such as blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes) together; it is a blood test-based approach.
Acarix CADScor: Fast Scanning Focus with Acoustic Sensor
Acarix CADScor allows for a rapid initial scan by recording micro-sounds in the heartbeat using an acoustic sensor placed on the chest; it is a completely non-invasive and short-duration method.
Prof. Dr. Osman Beton can recommend the most suitable of these three methods, or a combination of them, depending on the patient's symptoms and risk profile.