AI Breakthrough: Early Detection of Heart Valve Defects via EKG Analysis

In a groundbreaking study published on July 17, 2025, in the *European Heart Journal*, researchers from Imperial College London have unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm capable of identifying hidden heart valve defects through electrocardiogram (EKG) readings. This innovative approach promises to predict the risk of significant heart problems years in advance, potentially transforming early diagnosis and treatment of heart valve diseases.

The study, led by Dr. Arunashis Sau, an Academic Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London and a cardiology registrar at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, utilized nearly one million EKG and echocardiogram records from over 400,000 patients in China to train the AI model. The technology was subsequently tested on a diverse cohort of more than 34,000 patients in the United States, demonstrating its effectiveness across different ethnicities and healthcare systems.

Heart valve diseases, including regurgitant valvular heart diseases affecting the mitral, tricuspid, and aortic valves, currently affect approximately 41 million individuals globally, including 1.5 million in the United Kingdom. These conditions can lead to severe complications such as heart failure and are often asymptomatic until advanced stages, making early detection crucial.

Dr. Sau emphasized the complexity of the heart, stating, "By the time symptoms and structural changes appear in the heart, it may be too late to do much about it. Our work is harnessing AI to detect subtle changes at the earliest stage from a simple and common test." The AI algorithm demonstrated an impressive accuracy rate of 69% to 79% in predicting the likelihood of developing leaky heart valves, with individuals flagged as high-risk being up to ten times more likely to experience these diseases.

Dr. Fu Siong Ng, a Reader in Cardiac Electrophysiology at the National Heart and Lung Institute and a consultant cardiologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, highlighted the significance of this research in improving healthcare worldwide. "AI has enormous potential for improving health care around the world, but it requires huge amounts of data to train and test these algorithms. Our work exemplifies the benefits of international collaboration in this fast-growing area."

The implications of this study are profound. The ability to identify heart valve defects early could facilitate timely intervention, potentially improving patient outcomes and quality of life. As healthcare systems grapple with the burden of chronic diseases, such innovative technologies could represent a significant advancement in preventative medicine.

Future iterations of the AI model may expand beyond valvular heart diseases, with ongoing research already exploring its applications in predicting risks associated with female heart disease, early mortality, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. As AI continues to evolve, its integration into routine diagnostic practices could herald a new era of proactive healthcare management.

In summary, the collaboration between researchers at Imperial College London and their counterparts in China underscores the promise of AI in revolutionizing cardiology. With the potential to detect heart valve diseases before they become symptomatic, this technology could significantly alter the landscape of cardiovascular health management, paving the way for early interventions that save lives.