MEPhI Develops Digital Assistant for Cardiologists

Researchers at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI have developed an intelligent assistant for cardiologists designed to improve treatment of atrial fibrillation, the world’s most common type of heart rhythm disorder. Treating the condition typically involves inserting special catheters into the heart to read electrical signals from its inner surface, after which physicians analyze the data and choose a therapy strategy.

The new digital assistant uses mathematical modeling to calculate how electrical excitation waves spread through a patient’s heart based on individual characteristics such as atrial geometry and the presence of fibrotic tissue. The system can also simulate how those patterns would change after a specific procedure and estimate whether the intervention is likely to be effective. According to the developers, the technology could shorten operation times and make cardiac surgery more personalized.