Digitisation of India’s cardiac care landscape

How do you see the future of cardiac care in India?

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in India within the category of non-communicable diseases. Even so, the future of cardiac care in India holds significant promise. This is because of advances in medical technology, increasing awareness about heart health, and India’s evolving healthcare infrastructure. 

In addition, minimally invasive procedures and innovative technologies, such as devices for connected care and diagnostics that utilise artificial intelligence (AI), will play an important role in early detection, monitoring, and personalised treatment options. These therapies are important because they will reduce recovery time, minimise complications, and improve outcomes for patients.

An advantage of connected health technology is its ability to continuously monitor cardiac conditions like abnormal heart rhythms (cardiac arrhythmias). One such technology is an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) which is a device that is small enough to be placed under the skin and monitors heart rhythms 24/7 in real-time. This helps physicians overcome diagnosis and treatment challenges for cardiac arrhythmias. Some insertable cardiac monitors can also connect to a smartphone and send real-time results to a clinic’s portal. This device also offers advanced diagnostic capabilities that provide physicians with clinically relevant information so they can make more informed decisions. 

In a country with more than 1.4 billion people, physicians are often overburdened with very large caseloads. Connected care and remote monitoring devices enable physicians to help more patients by remotely and accurately monitoring their heart rhythms.  

Can you talk about the transformative potential of combining medical imaging with AI to revolutionise cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment and drive better outcomes for patients?

Combining medical imaging with AI has significant potential to improve cardiovascular care. Because AI can analyse medical images with remarkable speed and accuracy, it enables the detection of subtle abnormalities and disease severity that may not be apparent to the human eye. This enhanced precision assists physicians in making even more accurate diagnoses and treatment decisions faster than ever before.

An example is an imaging software launched in India last year that combines optical coherence tomography (OCT) with AI to help guide and optimise stenting decisions. It provides a comprehensive view of blood flow and blockages within coronary arteries to help physicians focus on the most critical factors for coronary intervention. In addition, it provides a guide for precise stent deployment and ensures optimal stent expansion, even in the most complex patient cases. 

AI-enabled technologies and devices offer several benefits. They enhance physician decision-making and outcomes, giving them more time to focus on patient interactions. They also allow for prompt intervention which can prevent life-threatening events and improve overall patient wellbeing. It is clear that AI is a transformative technology that is just beginning to empower healthcare professionals to further improve the health and wellbeing of their patients.

What are some of the other solutions that merge technology with healthcare to address the existing gaps in cardiac care in India?

The sheer size of India combined with finite healthcare resources often create significant disparities in the delivery of care across the country. Over the past few years, however, the emergence, acceptance, and adoption of innovative solutions is beginning to improve this situation.

Remote diagnostics and telemedicine hold immense promise. Virtual platforms connecting patients with specialists can overcome geographical barriers and ensure timely intervention. Moreover, AI-powered tools that analyse data from portable devices can enable early detection and remote monitoring of cardiac issues.

The digitisation of India is also improving the country’s health information systems. At the same time, electronic health records are gaining momentum. Self-care applications focused on education, tracking vital signs, and setting medication reminders are also having a positive impact on the continuity of care and long-term health outcomes. 

Moving forward, the increased use of data and analytics will play a significant role in improving cardiac care across India. Analysing data can provide valuable insights into why diseases happen, what causes certain symptoms, why people respond differently to the same condition and areas for improvement in cardiac care delivery. Today, systems in India are collecting data from thousands of cases and helping scientists and physicians find better ways to diagnose and treat patients. By integrating these technological solutions into India’s healthcare system, patient outcomes can be improved, and the burden of cardiovascular disease can be reduced. 

How is India emerging with tech in medical devices?

To accelerate the use of medical device technology in India, healthcare must become proactive rather than reactive. This means raising awareness about preventive care at the community level. For this, it’s important to equip primary healthcare centres with the tools and processes needed to streamline the diagnosis and provide faster care for cardiac diseases. Engaging with healthcare workers for greater community outreach is also critical. Both of these efforts help create awareness about preventative care in communities across India. 

In addition, India’s cardiac care landscape is improving with the use of predictive technologies, tests, data, and analytics. By analysing vast amounts of patient data, including medical histories, genetic information, and lifestyle habits, these technologies can identify high-risk individuals who can then take preventive measures to reduce or mitigate the impact of cardiovascular disease.

Further, the convergence of these technologies is creating a more connected and data-driven healthcare ecosystem. This holds tremendous potential for improving patient outcomes, optimising resource allocation, and ultimately, transforming the way cardiovascular disease is managed in India. However, to achieve the full potential of a connected and data-driven healthcare ecosystem, data security and privacy must be ensured. In addition, it will be important to continue improving the skills and capabilities of healthcare professionals across the country. By addressing these challenges collaboratively across India’s healthcare ecosystem, the full potential of emerging technologies can be unlocked, ushering in a future of proactive, personalised, and accessible healthcare in India.