AI Enables Early Heart Failure Screening in Primary Care
AI Enables Early Heart Failure Screening in Primary Care
Published: August 4, 2025 (Based on original research published in JACC: Advances)
Summary:
1. Purpose of the Study
A new FDA-cleared AI tool (Vivio System) helps detect heart failure (HF) early — directly during primary care visits — before patients show severe symptoms.
2. Problem with Current HF Diagnosis
Most HF cases are diagnosed late in ER or hospital, with advanced symptoms. Early diagnosis is key to better outcomes and easier management.
3. How the Vivio AI System Works
• It uses a standard blood pressure cuff + a single-lead Bluetooth ECG.
• No imaging (like echo) is required.
• No manual data entry by the doctor is needed.
• The built-in AI algorithm analyzes real-time physiologic signals to estimate left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), which is a gold-standard HF marker.
• The test takes only 5 minutes and can be done during a routine clinic visit.
4. Who Was Screened
• The study involved 2,040 patients aged ≥65 with diabetes or chronic kidney disease.
• 38.5% had elevated LVEDP (early sign of HF).
• Those patients then completed a quality-of-life questionnaire (KCCQ-12).
5. Results
• Nearly 25% of patients with high LVEDP had symptoms consistent with NYHA Class II–IV heart failure — despite not being diagnosed before.
• Women were diagnosed more often than men, echoing past studies about delayed HF diagnosis in women.
6. Clinical Significance
• Combining AI-based LVEDP detection with KCCQ questionnaires can catch HF early and prompt faster treatment.
• Most patients were not asymptomatic, showing real-world potential to reduce ER visits and improve quality of life.
7. Why This Matters for Primary Care
• Many primary care providers miss early HF due to vague symptoms or comorbidities.
• This tool offers a quick, noninvasive, and scalable solution that fits easily into primary care workflow.
8. System Benefits
• Over 15,000 tests already performed in the U.S. since FDA clearance (October 2023).
• Clinics using Vivio AI report:
• Higher rates of first-time HF diagnosis
• Reduced hospital admissions
• Better medication adherence
• Improved patient follow-up
9. Key Insight
• Vivio AI does not require heart imaging like echocardiograms.
• No manual input of clinical data or symptoms is needed.
• Non-specialists (GPs, nurses) can easily operate the system.
• It opens the door for wider HF screening in community settings and developing countries.
https://www.ventrichealth.com/vivio
https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.102002
