McLaren Health Care in Michigan has teamed up with Bunker Hill to introduce an innovative artificial intelligence program. This new initiative aims to screen over 40,000 patients each year for heart disease using advanced algorithms approved by the FDA. By examining CT scans done for unrelated medical reasons, the AI can catch early signs of cardiovascular problems.
Heart disease is a serious issue in the U.S., being the leading cause of death. Many cases could have been prevented if detected sooner. Dr. Justin Klamaris, the chief clinical officer at McLaren, pointed out that early detection can save lives. He stated, “We see so many patients impacted by cardiovascular disease. If we can recognize symptoms earlier, we can help.”
The use of AI in healthcare has great promise. Klamaris explains that this program enhances the roles of existing medical teams. It enables them to find “orphaned” patients—those at risk who haven’t seen a cardiologist yet.
Nish Kandawala, Bunker Hill’s CEO, discussed how the AI model, developed at Stanford University, can identify blockages in patients undergoing scans for non-cardiovascular issues. For example, a patient may come into the hospital with a turkey bone lodged in their throat. During the CT scan, the AI can detect potential heart risks that might otherwise go unnoticed.
This technology is projected to uncover previously unknown risks in 8% to 10% of patients scanned. Dr. Sam Kezia, chief medical director for the McLaren Heart and Vascular Institute, highlighted that the AI can effectively calculate calcium scores. These scores indicate the health of heart arteries, allowing doctors to keep a close watch on patients who need further evaluation.
Once the AI flags a high-risk patient, McLaren will follow up with notifications for both the patient and their primary care doctor. If the patient doesn’t yet have a cardiologist, the system will help connect them with appropriate care. “We aim to be proactive,” Dr. Kezia noted.
Additionally, the program will review past medical records to identify those who might be at risk but haven’t been picked up in previous checks. McLaren has already seen success using AI in other areas, such as identifying stroke risks.
The program aims to start within two weeks and plans to transition from analyzing past imaging data to real-time screenings. This technology may prove invaluable as healthcare moves toward more proactive management of heart disease, potentially saving countless lives in the process.
As heart disease remains a pressing health concern, initiatives like this showcase how technology can transform prevention and care, giving patients a better chance at healthier futures.
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