Cardiology pumps AI into patient care

Jun 18, 2021 | Jennifer O'Hara | @jenohara

When it comes to technology, Mayo Clinic is a leader in bringing the tools and science of artificial intelligence, or AI, into practice. In health care, AI is simply a way of programming a computer to process and respond to data for better patient outcomes.

Mayo's AI work in Cardiovascular Medicine uses computer algorithms applied to EKG to aid in early risk prediction and diagnosis of serious and complex heart problems. Early applications have used AI and EKG technology to show the difference between numerical and biological age, to screen for atrial fibrillation, and to detect a weak heart pump before a patient is symptomatic.

"The use of AI will help us detect diseases earlier, so that we can begin treatment sooner, and can better utilize health care resources," says Dr. Paul Friedman, chair of the Department of Cardiology at Mayo Clinic.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Friedman discusses the latest research and applications for using AI in cardiology.

To practice safe social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this interview was conducted using video conferencing. The sound and video quality are representative of the technology used. For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.