Latest news with #DrPhilipKeeling
BBC News
6 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
AI foot scanner could reduce heart failure hospitalisations
An at-home 'foot-recognition' scanner could prevent heart failure hospitalisations, a study has National Institute for Health and Care Research, with the involvement of Torbay researchers, said the device could detect a build-up of fluid in the feet and ankles called oedema - one of the "big three' signs" heat failure was becoming British Heart Foundation (BHF) said more than a million people in the UK had heart failure which could lead them to being Philip Keeling, senior author of the study and consultant cardiologist at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said the scanner "keeps an eye on you and alerts the health failure nurse". He said: "This device detects one of the big three warning signs for people with heart failure before they end up in hospital."Only about half of people admitted to hospital with heart failure currently get assigned an early review by a heart failure nurse who can check to see if they are suffering a harmful build-up of fluid because their heart is not working properly."Amid a shortage of heart failure nurses, a device like this can be like a virtual nurse, tracking people's health." The device, created by Heartfelt Technologies, takes 1,800 pictures per minute of the foot and lower leg at multiple angles - using AI detection of their position and calculates the volume of fluid the feet study examining the scanner involved 26 patients across five NHS those who had the scanner in their home for at least two weeks before it triggered an alert, three people were hospitalised with heart failure. The alerts came between eight and 19 days before their hospitalisation – giving the scanner an average prediction time of 13 days, which researchers said was adequate time to take action to keep someone out of also accurately predicted five out of the six hospitalisations and at the end of the six month study, 82% chose to keep the device. Prof Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the BHF, said the study was "a good example of how technology might aid earlier interventions and treatment".He said: "This small study suggests a simple device could significantly improve outcomes for at-risk patients with heart failure by keeping them out of hospital."Innovations with the potential to transform heart care in this way are a major part of the BHF's goal to save and improve lives of people living with cardiovascular disease."
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
New AI tool can detect heart failure early
Researchers have developed an AI -powered foot scanner that uses technology similar to facial recognition to detect early signs of heart failure by measuring fluid levels in the feet and ankles. The scanner, which captures and analyses nearly 2,000 images per minute, aims to provide early alerts of fluid retention (oedema), a critical indicator of worsening heart failure. A study involving 26 heart failure patients showed that the AI scanner could trigger alerts to healthcare professionals about 13 days before a patient would typically end up in hospital. The study also revealed that monitoring using Bluetooth -enabled scales was less effective, as patients struggled with consistent tracking, whereas the AI device required no action from the patient. Dr Philip Keeling, senior author of the study, suggests the device could act as a 'virtual nurse' amid a shortage of heart failure nurses.
