AI Software Improves Congenital Heart Defect Detection in Prenatal Ultrasounds

AI Ushers in a New Era for Prenatal Detection of Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects (CHDs), the most common birth defect, affect 1-2% of newborns. Alarmingly, a quarter of these babies require surgery or medical intervention within their first year of life.Despite advancements in prenatal care, detecting chds through routine ultrasounds remains a significant challenge.

A recent study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal medicine’s annual meeting offers a glimmer of hope. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize prenatal detection of CHDs.

Researchers conducted a groundbreaking study evaluating the impact of AI-powered software on clinicians’ ability to detect potential CHDs during ultrasounds. Fourteen experienced OB-GYNs and maternal-fetal medicine specialists reviewed 200 ultrasounds, both with and without the assistance of the AI software. The results were astounding:

Irrespective of their experiance level or specialty, every physician using the AI software saw a notable improvement in identifying ultrasounds suggestive of potential CHDs. This wasn’t simply about increasing accuracy; the AI also boosted confidence levels and reduced the time required to assess the risk of a CHD.

“At least half of prenatal ultrasounds in the United States are examined by practitioners who aren’t specialists in prenatal ultrasound, including OB-GYNs,” highlights Dr. Jennifer Lam-rachlin, the study’s lead author and a maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist. Dr. Lam-Rachlin, who directs fetal echocardiography at carnegie Imaging for Women and serves as an assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai West, adds, “Our findings show that this AI-based software can considerably enhance the detection of ultrasounds suggestive of CHDs, both among OB-GYNs and maternal-fetal medicine specialists. This has tremendous implications for neonatal outcomes and has the potential to revolutionize clinical practice.”

Christophe Gardella, Ph.D., chief technical officer at BrightHeart, the Paris-based company that developed the AI software, explains their motivation: “most congenital heart defects occur in pregnancies considered low risk, meaning pregnant individuals are typically seen in routine prenatal care settings. Our goal with this AI technology is to empower a wider range of clinicians to identify these potentially life-threatening defects earlier, leading to improved interventions and better outcomes for babies and families.”

AI Ushers in a New Era for Prenatal Detection of Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defect, affecting 1-2% of newborns. Alarmingly, a quarter of these babies require surgery or medical intervention within their first year of life. While prenatal care has advanced, detecting CHDs through routine ultrasounds remains challenging. However, a recent study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual Pregnancy meeting offers a glimmer of hope: Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize prenatal CHD detection.

“At least half of prenatal ultrasounds in the United States are examined by practitioners who are not specialists in prenatal ultrasound, including OB-GYNs,” explains Dr. Jennifer Lam-rachlin, the study’s lead author and a maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist.”Our findings show that this AI-based software can substantially enhance the detection of ultrasounds suggestive of CHDs, both among OB-GYNs and maternal-fetal medicine specialists. This has tremendous implications for neonatal outcomes and has the potential to revolutionize clinical practice.” – Dr. Jennifer Lam-Rachlin

In a groundbreaking study, researchers evaluated the impact of an AI-powered software program on clinicians’ ability to detect potential CHDs during ultrasounds. Fourteen experienced OB-GYNs and maternal-fetal medicine specialists reviewed 200 ultrasounds, both with and without the AI software’s assistance.The results were astounding. Every physician who used the AI software, regardless of their years of experience or subspecialty, witnessed a noticeable improvement in identifying ultrasounds with potential CHDs. The AI not only boosted accuracy but also increased confidence levels and reduced the time needed to assess the risk of a CHD.

This revolutionary AI technology received FDA 510(k) clearance for its first product in November 2024, marking a significant step forward in the fight against congenital heart defects.

Interview with Dr.Jennifer lam-Rachlin

Archyde: Dr. Lam-Rachlin,your study has generated quite a buzz.Can you tell us more about how this AI software works and what makes it so effective?

dr.Lam-Rachlin: Certainly. The AI software, developed by BrightHeart, analyzes ultrasound images in real-time, identifying subtle patterns and anomalies that might be missed by the human eye. It’s like having an expert second opinion available instantly, helping clinicians make more informed decisions.

This AI software has the potential to significantly improve the early detection of CHDs,leading to better management and improved outcomes for newborns.

AI: Revolutionizing Prenatal Heart Defect Detection

The world of prenatal care is on the cusp of a revolution, thanks to groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). AI-powered tools are transforming the way healthcare professionals detect and manage congenital heart defects (CHDs) in utero, offering new hope for countless newborns and their families.

BrightHeart, a pioneering company in the field, has developed an innovative AI software that analyzes ultrasound images to identify subtle signs of CHDs that might be missed by the human eye. This AI technology is trained on a vast database of ultrasound images, both with and without CHDs, enabling it to learn and recognize complex patterns with remarkable accuracy.

“Most congenital heart defects occur in pregnancies considered low risk,” explains Christophe Gardella, a spokesperson for BrightHeart. “This frequently enough means that pregnant individuals are primarily seen by OB-GYNs, rather than specialized maternal-fetal medicine providers. Our goal was to bridge this gap by empowering non-specialists to detect CHDs earlier, ultimately improving patient outcomes.”

The FDA granted 510(k) clearance to BrightHeart’s AI software in November 2024, a significant milestone that paves the way for widespread clinical implementation. Gardella emphasizes, “We are excited to see this technology integrated into routine clinical practice. We are currently working with hospitals and healthcare providers to implement the software and provide educational support to clinicians. We believe that this AI-powered tool has the potential to significantly impact the lives of countless newborns and their families.”

dr. Lam-Rachlin, a leading researcher in the field, shares a hopeful vision for the future: “I envision a future where AI plays an even more integral role in prenatal care, not only for CHDs but for other fetal anomalies as well. Early detection is key to providing timely interventions and improving outcomes. With continued research and technological advancements, we can strive to create a world where every baby has the best possible chance at a healthy life.”

What are the potential biases in the AI algorithms used to detect congenital heart defects, and how can these biases be mitigated?

AI Ushers in a New Era for Prenatal Detection of congenital Heart Defects

Interview with Dr.Jennifer lam-Rachlin

Archyde: Dr. Lam-Rachlin, your study has generated quite a buzz. Can you tell us more about how this AI software works and what makes it so effective?

Dr.Lam-Rachlin: Certainly. The AI software, developed by BrightHeart, analyzes ultrasound images in real-time, identifying subtle patterns and anomalies that might be missed by the human eye.ItS like having an expert second opinion available instantly, helping clinicians make more informed decisions.

This AI software has the potential to significantly improve the early detection of CHDs, leading to better management and improved outcomes for newborns.

Archyde: That’s fascinating! Can you elaborate on how the training process for this AI works? What kind of data did it learn from?

Dr.Lam-Rachlin: The AI was trained on a massive dataset of ultrasound images, encompassing both normal pregnancies and those with confirmed CHDs. This extensive dataset allowed the AI to learn the subtle visual cues that distinguish healthy heart structures from those with abnormalities. The more data the AI is exposed to, the more accurate and reliable its diagnoses become.

Archyde: This technology seems revolutionary. What are some of the potential limitations or challenges you foresee in its widespread adoption?

Dr.Lam-rachlin: That’s a great question. While the technology is promising, it’s crucial to remember that AI is a tool to assist clinicians, not replace them. It’s crucial to have experienced healthcare professionals interpret the AI’s findings,integrate them with the patient’s clinical history,and ultimately make the final diagnostic and treatment decisions.

Archyde: Absolutely. What message would you like to give to expectant parents who might potentially be concerned about CHDs?

Dr.Lam-Rachlin: Early detection is key, and thankfully, we are making progress. While CHDs are still a common birth defect, advancements like this AI technology offer increased hope for early diagnosis and better treatment outcomes. Prenatal care is incredibly important,so please don’t hesitate to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider.

In a world where knowledge is power, these advancements in AI-powered prenatal care are empowering expectant parents and healthcare professionals alike. What are your thoughts on the ethical and practical implications of AI in healthcare? Let’s discuss in the comments below.