Recent research by the European Society of Cardiology has revealed that artificial intelligence (AI) can assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases in women through mammogram analysis. The study, published in the “European Heart Journal,” highlights AI’s ability to evaluate calcium deposits in breast arteries using X-ray images, commonly employed for cancer screening.
Routine mammograms often detect arterial calcification, which is unrelated to tumors but linked to cardiovascular risk factors and potential heart diseases. The research aims to leverage AI to identify women at risk of heart conditions without additional costs or inconvenience. Hari Trivedi, a researcher from Emory University leading the study, emphasized the potential of AI in early diagnosis.
The study involved 123,762 women undergoing mammographic screening with no known cardiovascular disease. AI was used to analyze calcium deposits in breast tissue arteries, categorizing them as large, moderate, mild, or absent. These categories were then compared with the incidence of severe cardiovascular events, such as strokes and heart attacks, and cardiovascular mortality data.
The results indicated varying risk levels based on calcification stages:
- Mild calcification: 30% increased likelihood of severe cardiovascular events.
- Moderate calcification: 70% higher risk of severe cardiovascular events.
- Large calcification: Two to three times higher chance of severe cardiovascular events.
Trivedi noted that visible calcium in breast arteries correlates with a higher risk of severe heart events, even in younger women under 50, a group typically considered low-risk. This trend persisted despite other risk factors like diabetes and smoking.
The technique offers a practical approach to identifying women at cardiovascular risk through a routine exam. To implement this method, AI tools must be integrated into existing imaging workflows, with systems established for notifying patients and healthcare providers. Future plans include a clinical trial to explore further technological advancements.
