AI could take medical imaging to the next level

The number of AI -related medical devices approved annually by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has grown dramatically in recent years .

Doctors are using the technology to scan X-rays of people’s chests, ultrasound videos of infants’ hearts and more.

AI technology in medicine is growing at a rapid clip.

AI models have the potential to squeeze more information out of each scan.

Using a set of previously collected images and follow-up data, an AI model scanned chest X-rays from nearly 8,900 people ages 50 to 75.

The roughly 4,200 people flagged by the AI were 1.5 times as likely to have a serious cardiovascular problem over the next 10 years .

Like most AI systems, the model that Vogt ’s team developed isn’t ready for widespread rollout.

At this point, there are too many variables that might confuse it, like how different hospitals capture video and what types of ultrasound machines are used.

Using AI tools thoughtfully and carefully could ultimately make health care more efficient, Vogt says.