An artificial intelligence-enabled digital stethoscope equipped with a single-lead ECG accurately identified low ejection fraction in a test of 100 patients, according to new research from Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic and AI devicemaker Eko.
The study's findings were presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions on Nov. 16. In the test, Eko's DUO stethoscope was able to detect with significant accuracy an ejection fraction of less than 35 percent, which indicates an increased risk of life-threatening irregular heartbeats associated with sudden cardiac arrest and death.
According to a news release, the Eko DUO is the first point-of-care device combining a single-lead ECG with an AI algorithm to achieve such successful results.
Mayo Clinic and Eko first announced their collaboration to develop a less expensive and time-consuming system to detect low ejection fraction in October 2018. Additionally, Mayo Clinic recently participated in the software company's $20 million Series B funding round.
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