Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is testing an AI tool called FIND-AF to identify people at risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is a heart condition that makes people five times more likely to have a stroke, which can be life-threatening or life-changing.
The trial started in autumn 2023. The FIND-AF algorithm uses machine learning to scan GP records for warning signs that a person might develop AF in the next six months. If the algorithm identifies someone as at risk, they are offered further testing to confirm the diagnosis.
Professor Chris Gale, a cardiologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, explained:
“Often, the first sign of undiagnosed AF is a stroke, which can be devastating. Identifying AF earlier can save lives and reduce costs for healthcare services.”
The trial, supported by the British Heart Foundation and Leeds Hospitals Charity, has included nearly 2,000 people so far. The goal is to make FIND-AF available for wider use after the trial ends.
How It Works:
- The algorithm has been tested at several GP clinics in West Yorkshire.
- At-risk people are sent a handheld ECG (electrocardiogram) machine to use at home.
- They take two readings daily for four weeks or whenever they feel heart palpitations.
- The results are shared with their GP, who can confirm AF and discuss treatment options.
This method allows people to monitor their heart health from home without needing to visit a doctor’s office.
Source: digitalhealth
