Researchers from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) are set to recruit 3,000 patients to refine an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) tool designed to predict the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is a leading cause of death in the city.
On Sunday, HKU’s medical school announced the upcoming recruitment for its “Heartwise” study. Clinical Professor Yiu Kai-hang expressed optimism about improving patient outcomes. “The findings could enhance cardiovascular risk assessment, improve prevention strategies, and promote personalized healthcare,” said Yiu, a member of the cardiology division at HKU.
The “P-Cardiac” tool, developed by HKU’s Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, utilizes AI to evaluate a patient’s risk by accessing Asia’s largest patient records database, which includes 300,000 records from the Hospital Authority.
The team aims to enroll patients aged 18 to 80 who have conditions such as coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, aortic disease, or have experienced strokes. Recruitment will occur at six public hospitals in the fourth quarter of this year.
By analyzing electronic health records and patient-reported symptoms, researchers hope to enhance the AI tool’s ability to predict cardiovascular disease outcomes. They also aim to help healthcare professionals set clearer risk thresholds and evaluate pharmacist-led services.
“Our goal is to integrate P-Cardiac into everyday clinical practice, potentially improving cardiovascular health for millions,” Yiu stated. Participating hospitals include Kwong Wah Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, Pok Oi Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and Tuen Mun Hospital.
Lead researcher Celine Chui Sze-ling, an assistant professor at HKU’s nursing school, noted that preliminary results from a pilot study showed that 80% of patients felt more informed about their risk profiles, leading to better medication use. This pilot study, conducted from 2022 to 2023 in a primary care setting, began with 20 patients, 15 of whom attended follow-up visits.
“The pilot study marks an important step in enhancing community-based healthcare, aiming to reduce the healthcare burden and lower public health costs linked to chronic disease management,” Chui said. She believes that using a “predict and prevent” strategy in managing cardiovascular disease could cut mortality rates by 25%.
Chui hopes the AI-powered tool will be available in all public hospitals by 2028. Cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases consistently rank among the top five causes of death in Hong Kong, where cardiovascular disease accounts for about 58% of deaths in Asia. In 2022, there were 10,665 registered deaths in Hong Kong attributed to cardiovascular diseases, according to the Department of Health.
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