Making heart procedures safer and easier

Pedro Morais

2Ai - Applied Artificial Intelligence Laboratory Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e do Ave, Barcelos, Portugal

Atrial fibrillation is the most common irregular heart rhythm and a leading cause of strokes. Many strokes in people with this condition are caused by blood clots forming in a small area of the heart called the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA). To prevent this, doctors use a minimally invasive procedure called LAA Closure, where they insert a small device to block blood flow to this area. However, choosing the right-sized device is difficult because every heart is shaped differently. Current methods rely on doctors manually analyzing heart images, which takes time and depends heavily on the doctor's expertise.

To address it, it is possible to use a software to help with device selection that uses 3D heart images. In clinical studies, it worked faster and more accurately than manual methods. However, this software still needs some help from doctors to get started.

The goal of this new project is to create an improved version of the software that works completely on its own. Using advanced computer programs, the new version will be able to identify heart structures and recommend the best device without needing any manual input. This will make the procedure quicker, easier for doctors, and safer for patients.

If successful, this fully automated software will not only save time but also reduce risks during the procedure, giving both doctors and patients more confidence in the outcomes. It represents a significant step forward in making heart procedures more efficient and accessible for everyone.

Fully Automatic Occluding Device Sizing for LAAC in 3D TEE

Stage 1