Artificial intelligence could enable people without previous ultrasound experience to capture usable heart images and help identify patients who may have aortic stenosis.
In a Mayo Clinic study, novice users performed focused cardiac ultrasound examinations after only four hours of training, supported by AI for both image acquisition and analysis.
The prospective study, presented at the 2026 ESC Congress, suggests that the combination could potentially expand access to screening in settings where comprehensive echocardiography and trained imaging specialists are less readily available.
The researchers emphasise that the approach is not designed to replace comprehensive echocardiography or physician assessment.
Its intended role is to identify people who may have clinically relevant aortic stenosis and could benefit from further evaluation.
Patients flagged as potentially having moderate or severe disease would still require a comprehensive echocardiogram to confirm the diagnosis and establish its severity.
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