Eko Health Revolutionizes Heart Disease Detection with AI-Powered Stethoscope

Eko Health, a digital health company founded in 2013, has made significant strides in transforming the traditional stethoscope into a cutting-edge AI-powered device for early detection of heart and lung diseases. The company's innovative approach combines digital stethoscopes with advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, creating a low-cost, non-invasive screening tool that could dramatically improve patient care in primary and frontline healthcare settings.

AI Algorithm Detects Pulmonary Hypertension

In a groundbreaking development, Eko Health, in collaboration with Brown University Health System's Cardiovascular Institute, has created an AI algorithm capable of detecting pulmonary hypertension (PH). This condition, characterized by elevated pressure in blood vessels connecting the heart and lungs, can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

The algorithm, detailed in a peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, analyzes heart sounds recorded with a digital stethoscope to identify elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressures. Trained on 6,000 heart-sound recordings paired with echocardiographic pressure estimates, the algorithm demonstrated impressive performance with an average area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of 0.79, a sensitivity of 71%, and a specificity of 73%.

Dr. Gaurav Choudhary, Lead Principal Investigator and Ruth and Paul Levinger Professor of Cardiology at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, "This innovative approach demonstrates how combining digital stethoscopes with advanced AI can lead to a low-cost, non-invasive, point-of-care screening tool for the early detection of pulmonary hypertension."

Expanding AI Capabilities for Comprehensive Heart Disease Detection

Eko Health's AI-powered platform has received multiple FDA clearances for various algorithms, including the detection of structural heart murmurs, atrial fibrillation, and low cardiac ejection fraction. The company's AI algorithm for identifying low cardiac ejection fraction, a key indicator of developing heart failure, received FDA clearance in April 2024.

These algorithms have shown significant clinical impact. A study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital found that Eko's murmur detection algorithm doubled the identification rates of structural heart murmurs compared to conventional practices in primary care. Similarly, an Imperial College London study demonstrated that the low ejection fraction detection algorithm, developed in partnership with Mayo Clinic, significantly enhanced the identification of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in general practice clinics.

Connor Landgraf, co-founder of Eko Health, explained the company's vision: "We're continuing to expand the roadmap. We're knocking over the pins or the algorithms that are relatively easy and straightforward and then we're starting to move into the ones that are able to identify signs that are so subtle that the physicians can't even spot them themselves."

Advancing Accessibility and Reimbursement

Eko Health's efforts to revolutionize heart disease detection have gained significant traction in the healthcare industry. The company's FDA-cleared platform is currently used by over 500,000 healthcare professionals worldwide, demonstrating its growing adoption and impact.

In a move that could further increase accessibility to early heart disease detection, Eko Health was granted a Category III CPT code from the American Medical Association (AMA) in November 2024 for its Sensora platform. This platform includes FDA-cleared AI algorithms for identifying structural heart murmurs, low ejection fraction, and arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. This milestone puts Eko Health's AI technology on a path to reimbursement, potentially expanding its use in clinical settings.

The company has also secured substantial financial backing, having raised more than $165 million in funding, including a $41 million Series D round in June 2024. Investors include ARTIS Ventures, Highland Capital Partners, Mayo Clinic, and others, reflecting strong confidence in Eko Health's innovative approach to heart disease detection.