FutureHeart: Transformative ECG diagnostics for tomorrow's healthcare
In this project, Cordys Analytics and UMC Utrecht will develop an AI-powered platform for ECG analysis, designed to improve heart diagnostics by connecting diverse user groups. The project adopts a multidisciplinary approach, integrating healthcare expertise, cutting-edge AI technology, and user-centered design to enhance diagnostic accuracy and streamline workflows.
Cardiovascular diseases are the second leading cause of death in the Netherlands. Every day, more than 100 people die from these conditions, and over 200,000 people are admitted to the hospital each year. The project is therefore highly relevant in the context of modernizing healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes. By leveraging AI technology to enhance ECG analysis, the project aims to streamline diagnostic processes, minimize diagnostic errors, and enable timely interventions. Additionally, the platform’s transmural nature facilitates seamless collaboration and communication between healthcare professionals across various care settings, ultimately improving continuity of care and the overall patient experience.
The project advances AI in healthcare by focusing on ECG analysis, addressing the gap between AI development and its certification and implementation, especially in non-hospital settings. It fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, supports scientific research, and promotes knowledge-sharing. With potential healthcare cost savings of €750 million annually, it improves diagnostics, patient outcomes, and healthcare sustainability through AI-driven solutions for heart disease, such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation. By optimizing diagnostics, it reduces unnecessary referrals and enhances patient care across various healthcare settings.
The project deliverables include key documents such as stakeholder recruitment and focus group guidelines, along with a comprehensive user requirement analysis report. Usable prototypes for both the back-end and user interfaces of the Cordys Platform will be developed. AI algorithms will be implemented and validated, with detailed scientific reporting of the studies. Finally, all study documentation will be completed and approved by relevant ethical committees, allowing the project to proceed to its next phase.