On January 21, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City announced an innovative collaboration program focusing on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac ultrasound for the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases. This initiative marks a significant advancement in improving the quality of diagnosis and treatment for heart conditions in Vietnam.
According to Professor Trương Quang Bình, Chairman of the Scientific Council at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, the cardiology clinic receives approximately 600 patients daily, equivalent to 15,000 patients per month. Among them, around 1,600-1,700 cases involve heart failure, with 600-700 patients suffering from preserved ejection fraction heart failure. This presents a substantial challenge in both diagnosis and treatment.
AI: A Powerful Diagnostic Tool
AI is considered a powerful tool that supports doctors in making more accurate diagnoses, thereby optimizing treatment processes. Professor Bình emphasized, “AI is like a ‘fishing rod’ for doctors, providing additional means to save lives. This is a breakthrough in our digital health transformation plan.”
Associate Professor Lê Minh Khôi, Head of the Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, noted that preserved ejection fraction heart failure is a common condition among the elderly, characterized by dangerous pathological symptoms. Notably, despite numerous abnormalities, the ejection fraction remains within normal limits, complicating the diagnostic process.
Benefits of AI in Cardiac Ultrasound
The application of AI in cardiac ultrasound offers several notable benefits. The technology estimates that it can identify 20% of patients with preserved ejection fraction heart failure who would otherwise be missed. The diagnostic time has also been reduced from 35-40 minutes to about 10 minutes, significantly decreasing the workload for healthcare staff and reducing treatment costs.
To date, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital has tested AI in cardiac ultrasound for over 120 cases, yielding very promising diagnostic results. Associate Professor Khôi shared that after Tet (Lunar New Year), the AI system provider will organize training sessions for doctors on how to apply this technology.
Looking to the Future: Implementing Health Insurance for AI Techniques
Associate Professor Nguyễn Hoàng Định, Deputy Director of the hospital, stated that in the future, once research results on the effectiveness of AI in cardiac ultrasound are available, the hospital will propose implementing health insurance policies for these techniques. This move will enable many patients to access advanced technology without worrying about costs.
Conclusion
The application of AI in cardiac ultrasound at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital represents a significant step forward in enhancing the quality of diagnosis and treatment for cardiovascular diseases. With its superior benefits, this technology promises to bring about positive changes in Vietnam’s healthcare sector, particularly in managing and treating complex heart conditions.
