The American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) 2024 conference was a buzzing hive of innovation, focusing largely on the impact artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to have on the cardiology field. The discussions demonstrated that understanding AI’s broader potential in healthcare has progressed significantly and is eagerly recognized by cardiologists for its ability to augment treatment opportunities, streamline operations, and improve patient outcomes.
The conference highlighted the potential for AI to create more health equality, particularly regarding underserved populations. The impact of AI on health equity was mentioned during an Aidoc dinner event where Martha Gulati, a Cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, spoke about the prevalent disparities in diagnosing and treating women with cardiac pathologies such as coronary artery calcification (CAC) or aortic stenosis.
However, better imaging and diagnoses are just initial steps. As Michael Shapiro, Director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at Wake Forest, stressed, utilizing these findings in a structured and actionable plan is the key to altering patient outcomes, an area where the comprehensive application of AI in cardiovascular care can excel.
Ethical and responsible deployment of AI was a prevalent topic underscoring the maturity of AI’s integration into clinical conversations. It was emphasized by Ami Bhatt, the ACCs CIO, who reinforced the necessity of a ‘big-picture’ view of AI incorporated collaboratively by stakeholders, ensuring ethical deployment and benefiting patients, healthcare workers, and medical practice at large. Discussions also revolved around effective AI deployment strategies within health systems and the rise of AI committees to evaluate these strategies.
ACC’s conference also underlined AI’s potential to revolutionize cardiovascular care and heart health in various aspects like optimizing administrative processes, disseminating new science and research, enhancing patient involvement and outcomes, and enriching clinical education.
One such innovation is Aidoc’s CAC Patient Management solution. It helps healthcare teams by identifying patients needing management for CAC, a strong predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) such as myocardial infarctions, strokes, and cardiovascular death.
Aidoc’s partnership with ACC illustrates ACC’s devotion to advanced cardiovascular care and technology’s role in refining patient care and processes while promoting innovation. This collaboration promises a future where AI is essentially woven into the fabric of cardiovascular health.
