Early diagnosis of heart diseases with artificial intelligence devices

Cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading causes of death in the world, can be detected within minutes thanks to an artificial intelligence-supported device.

With vector cardiography-based technology, the scan is performed in approximately 4 minutes using a method similar to a classical ECG, without administering any medication or intervention to the patient.

The artificial intelligence-supported device provides a 7-page report in 2-3 minutes, revealing risks such as the possibility of vascular occlusion, rhythm disturbances and structural heart anomalies in the patient.

Cardiology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serhat Sığırcı told an AA reporter that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, and that many patients are more easily diagnosed with the widespread use of diagnostic methods.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sığırcı emphasized that the most important issue is preventive medicine and continued:

One in three people with heart disease can die instantly. The most critical factor is early diagnosis. Now, making an early diagnosis is very simple. We have a wealth of resources. In the past, we didn't have this much; we tried to diagnose with a stress test. We have non-invasive tests, meaning we perform them without any intervention on the patient. We can evaluate patients with artificial intelligence, or for patients with higher risk factors, we have a procedure called virtual angiography. We can see the patient's arteries within two minutes. When we make an early diagnosis, treatment can be very simple. Patients can move on with their lives without any damage. Artificial intelligence has made our job much easier now, and I believe it will make it even easier in the future. Within minutes, we can see if there's any heart damage, arrhythmia, or blockage in a blood vessel, just like taking an ECG, without any preparation. This is a tremendous advantage.

Sığırcı emphasized that the most important risk factor for heart disease is familial, and that there are also risk factors related to nutrition type, including high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, blood pressure and stress.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sığırcı emphasized that heart diseases are now starting to be seen at a younger age, pointing out that the average age of heart disease worldwide, which used to be in the 60s, has now dropped to the 50s.

Sığırcı stated that the disease doesn't come without symptoms and that people fail to recognize it for some reason. He said, "Everyone's threshold is different. Some people have a low threshold and rush to the doctor at the slightest ache, while others experience much less pain and may not go to the doctor. We see symptoms in almost 95 percent of patients. The most common symptom is chest pain."

Sığırcı touched upon the importance of the type of chest pain and continued:

"If this chest pain comes on with exertion, goes away with rest, doesn't occur at rest, or if the pain at rest gets worse with exertion, if it feels like widespread pressure, burning, or crushing in the center of the chest, or if it radiates to the back, arm, jaw, or teeth, then one needs to be vigilant. Sometimes patients may present with shortness of breath alone, or sometimes with fainting, but there is always a symptom."

Sığırcı stated that some patients may not feel chest pain and that they examine "silent heart attack" under three headings.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sığırcı emphasized that diabetic patients may not feel pain as much because their nerve endings are damaged. He said, "Secondly, older patients. They may not feel pain because their nerve endings age. Furthermore, in advanced oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy, chest pain may not be clearly identifiable. In other patients, heart disease can often manifest with complaints such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, and palpitations."

Ali Genç, 60, who clung to life again thanks to the rapid scanning device, said that at first he did not think he had a problem with his heart.

Genç, who described suddenly fainting at home, said, "I went to some hospitals and was told, 'You have a heart problem.' I had procedures performed at a private hospital using this artificial intelligence device. It was revealed that I had problems with both of my carotid arteries. A stent was then inserted. I had never been diagnosed with a problem with my carotid artery before. Thanks to this device, the diagnosis was made clearly, and I subsequently underwent surgery. I'm doing very well now, and I never miss my checkups. This is a wonderful discovery. If I had had my checkups, even once a year, before my fainting spells, they would have been detected earlier, and I wouldn't have fainted. I came back right away; those were difficult days."

Turabi Aydemir, a medical worker who discovered the German-based rapid heart scanning device as a result of his research after suffering from heart disease and supported its arrival in Türkiye, shared his experiences.

Aydemir pointed out that the AI-powered, three-dimensional device scans in four minutes, saying, "It produces a seven-page report in about two to three minutes. This report indicates whether you have a risk of vascular occlusion, structural heart defects, or arrhythmias. It performs a full screening test. This is a device everyone should use."

Stating that the data reported by the device can be accessed within 4-5 days under normal conditions, Aydemir noted the following:

With this device, you can get these results in just 10 minutes. It's available in almost every province in Türkiye. It doesn't require any medication or needles. It can be checked just like a regular ECG. The device is portable, so it can be used at home and in the workplace. Because it's performed under a doctor's supervision, our doctors perform an angiogram when blood or plaque is detected, an ultrasound is performed when structural abnormalities are detected, and a Holter monitor is used when rhythm disturbances are detected. The device has an accuracy rate of 90 percent for men and 92 percent for women. Because it's software, the device is constantly evolving.