Researchers from the Universities of East Anglia, Sheffield, and Leeds have developed an AI model to examine heart images from MRI scans. The model uses a four-chamber plane view to quickly and accurately determine the size and function of the heart's chambers. 

Dr Pankaj Garg from UEA's Norwich Medical School stated that while manual MRI analysis can take up to 45 minutes, the AI model performs the task in just a few seconds.

The study used data from 814 patients at Sheffield and Leeds hospitals to train the AI model, with additional testing on 101 patients from Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals. 

Unlike previous studies, this model was trained on diverse data from multiple hospitals and scanner types, providing a comprehensive analysis of all four heart chambers. Dr Hosamadin Assadi from UEA highlighted the model's potential to improve diagnosis, treatment decisions, and patient outcomes.

Future research will focus on testing the AI model with larger patient groups from different hospitals and scanner types. The study was a collaboration between several universities and NHS trusts, supported by the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Career Development Fellowship.