In 2019, Aidoc received the green light from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pertaining to a pulmonary embolism solution for patients. ism

Aidoc is a Tel–Aviv based healthcare company that specialises in medical imagery analysis and aids radiologists to detect abnormalities in the body, that is, the head, chest, spine and abdomen, that may be threatening to one’s health. Aidoc’s technology further assists doctors with diagnosing and treating time-sensitive cases efficiently and effectively. In fact, the company had managed to raise about $27 million earlier in the year in hopes of continual advancement in their technological software. As a result, its latest artificial intelligence induced solution for pulmonary embolism has shined new light on a life-threatening disorder.

Pulmonary Embolism is usually a serious effect from Venous thromboembolism (VTE) which includes deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis is the result of a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, like those located in the lower leg, pelvis or thigh. Pulmonary embolism is when the clot is released into the bloodstream and enters the lungs. Most patients may develop VTE as a result of a major surgery like that of a heart attack or a form of cancer.

Medical records have shown that an estimated 10 million cases of VTE has surfaced since 2013. The U.S. faces up to 100,000 to 300,000 VTE related deaths per year, with its European counterpart facing up to 544,000 deaths. It is further concluded that, with the U.S. and Europe combined, VTE has killed more people than other ailments like AIDS, prostate and breast cancer and even motor vehicular accidents.

Often at times, pulmonary embolism causes shortness of breath and frequent chest pain. Without immediate treatment there can be a block of blood flow to the lungs and in the event of large or several clots, it can cause death.

Therefore, it is critical to be able to detect the disorder at its early stages and Aidoc has created an algorithm to pose as a solution for just that. This newly FDA-cleared method is intended to be used along with the radiology process of CT scans and this way abnormalities or haemorrhages can be detected at a much faster rate. The technological tool has been said to be such an impressive mechanism for identifying pulmonary embolism that a group of researchers conducted an experiment using Aidoc’s algorithm with a D-dimer blood test, a common test that spots blood clots in the veins. The results showed that they were able to determine about 39% of pulmonary embolism patients without the need of CT scans.

With World Thrombosis Day approaching in October, Aidoc’s discovery will be well-received among medical professionals and patients alike. Surely during such an event, the innovative achievement that this company has acquired will certainly benefit everyone involved.

References:

1.  Radiologists Share Firsthand Experience on Artificial Intelligence in Practice, May 2019, Aidoc
2. Aidoc’s Pulmonary Embolism Solution Granted FDA Clearance, May 2019, Idigitalhealth
3. Venous Thromboembolism, NIH
4. AI Healthcare Startup Aidoc Raises $27 Million, April 2019, Forbes