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<p><strong>An AI application that is not only capable of quickly analyzing data from ECG readings, but also indicates the likelihood of a serious heart condition that requires immediate assistance from a cardiologist. At AppBakkers’ office in Zwolle, the team is currently working hard to make this a reality in the near future.</strong></p><p><img src="https://cms.aihub-oost.nl/uploads/App_Bakkers_ontwikkelt_AI_apps_f29b6f6359.jpeg?token=u8kv7SOijYhqtT4DHNp45uSzEHtPvMLe4CIUSmemsdA&amp;expires=1777449644" alt="AppBakkers ontwikkelt AI apps.jpeg" srcset="https://cms.aihub-oost.nl/uploads/thumbnail_App_Bakkers_ontwikkelt_AI_apps_f29b6f6359.jpeg?token=sTaIT3qFNkIalgatyQFYlKwYvQfblQDPvM8v8DHwxMY&amp;expires=1777449644 245w,https://cms.aihub-oost.nl/uploads/small_App_Bakkers_ontwikkelt_AI_apps_f29b6f6359.jpeg?token=aa3JBlMDt9e6MNcHSSmDg6WdbE-5zXp0ukqvKdsYT6Y&amp;expires=1777449644 500w," sizes="100vw" width="685" height="382"></p><p>Not all heart complaints are the same. Of the people who are currently referred urgently to a cardiologist, the vast majority can leave the doctor’s office quickly, relieved. Although it’s wise to err on the side of caution, all those extra consultations do take up an enormous amount of time. And cardiologists could, of course, put that time to better use helping patients who actually have a heart problem. The opposite also happens: someone has a serious heart problem without realizing it. In such a situation, a quick visit to the cardiologist can truly save a person’s life.</p><h2>Serious Staff Shortage</h2><p>In both cases, an initial screening of an electrocardiogram (ECG) plays a crucial role. But if healthcare workers are constantly busy with ECG machine electrodes and specialists then have to screen all the ECGs, a lot of time is lost again. That problem can already be partially solved thanks to wearable sensors that make it possible, for example, to monitor your heart at home. But screening all those ECGs remains a challenge, especially now that the medical world is facing a serious staffing shortage.</p><h2>An Extra Boost Thanks to an MIT Initiative</h2><p>This is therefore a major societal problem. AppBakkers (a mobile app developer) therefore decided to tackle this issue in collaboration with 2M (maker of, among other things, a wearable ECG sensor). And when they heard about the MIT program, they submitted an application. Successfully: this application was selected as one of 12 projects. As a result, the development of the AI-based ECG app that AppBakkers is working on is getting an extra boost.</p><h2>Analyzing 50,000 ECGs</h2><p>“We’re now entering the phase where we’ll start training the AI,” says Guido Versteeg, owner of AppBakkers. “The quality of the data plays a crucial role in this process. So we’re very pleased with PTB-XL: a publicly accessible dataset containing about 50,000 ECG recordings that are available in anonymized form. These recordings also clearly indicate whether a heart problem is present. This is a form of machine learning in which the algorithm doesn’t so much search for new information each time, but rather checks to what extent the data from an ECG deviates from that of a healthy heart.”</p><h2>In conversation with cardiologists</h2><p>“In parallel with that, we’re in close contact with medical professionals to determine where we should focus our efforts,” he continues. “For example, we’re in discussions with cardiologists at Medisch Spectrum Twente, a hospital in Enschede. Their expertise is, of course, indispensable when building an AI solution that can use ECG readings to determine the likelihood of a situation requiring immediate assistance from a cardiologist. That involvement—both observing and contributing ideas—is taking up quite a bit of their time right now, even though they’re already so busy. But they’re happy to participate because they know this development will truly help them in their daily practice down the line.”</p><h2>Medical Device</h2><p>In addition to the technical aspects, there are also issues related to privacy and legal liability. After all, this involves medical information that is sensitive in terms of privacy. The AI developer must therefore be constantly aware of this. And in terms of responsibility, it’s also important that everyone involved knows exactly where they stand. </p><blockquote><p>If the software makes a statement about the patient that resembles a medical diagnosis, we must comply with the regulations governing medical devices. We therefore have to take this into account during development. </p></blockquote><p>But even then, the medical specialist still makes the final diagnosis, though he or she may use the insights the AI provides based on data analysis.”</p><h2>Due Diligence</h2><p>“Of course, this AI application will only be deployed once cardiologists have tested it extensively and it has successfully passed clinical trials,” emphasizes Versteeg. “Given the strict requirements, development processes like this take a long time. It will likely take a few more years before our AI solution can actually be applied in medical practice. That level of due diligence is only a good thing, because, of course, it must be a solution that truly ensures patients with serious heart problems receive the help they need at that moment as quickly as possible.”</p><h2>More information</h2><p>Interested in learning more about this startup? Visit the <a href="https://appbakkers.nl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">AppBakkers website</a> or send your questions to Guido Versteeg via the contact form.</p>

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<p>An AI application that is not only capable of quickly analyzing data from ECG readings, but also indicates the likelihood of a serious heart problem requiring immediate assistance from a cardiologist. At AppBakkers’ office in Zwolle, the team is currently working hard to make this a reality in the near future.</p>