Abu Dhabi hospital tests AI device that can prevent a heart attack
abu dhabi — A new artificial intelligence (AI) device — which can reduce the risk of heart attack among high-risk patients — is set to be tested at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi, a top expert from the hospital has said.
Placed inside the body of a patient, this AI-powered ‘advanced automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator’ (ICD) is connected to a smartphone. It is being trialled on patients suffering from lifethreatening cardiac arrhythmias or abnormal heart rates.
Dr Omar Al Falasi, consultant electrophysiologist and head of cardiac institute at SKMC, explained that an ICD, once implanted in a patient’s body, can detect irregular heart rhythms. It can respond with pacing — which corrects a fast rhythm and ensures a normal heartbeat — or a shock that resets the heart rhythm to prevent sudden cardiac arrest.
Since this smart ICD is linked to the patient’s smartphone, it can send regular reports to a physician. Additionally, the device will send an emergency alert to the patient and the doctor in case of any variation in the heart’s electrical activity.
The SKMC is among four medical facilities in the Middle East that have been chosen for the evaluation phase of the device, Dr Al Falasi said.
Our feedback will be reviewed at major international conferences in which the device will be displayed.” Dr Omar Al Falasi consultant electrophysiologist and head of cardiac institute, SKMC
‘Useful amid pandemic’
The expert explained that the new device is very useful in the time of Covid-19 as it provides remote monitoring and avoids the need for a patient to visit the hospital.
Dr Al Falasi added that plans are afoot to place the device in patients of different age groups. A patient and a family member are given prior training on the use of the device and its function.
Dr Al Falasi said the device is tested as a pre-market release and SKMC is made part of the evaluation phase because of its reputation as a centre of excellence in treating cardiac cases. “Our feedback will be reviewed at international conferences in which the device will be displayed.”