Abuja: Scientists from a Russian cardiology research institute have developed a programme that automatically processes CT scans of the heart and determines the volume and density of fatty tissue around it.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the official website of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), a partner of TV BRICS, reports that the fatty tissue plays an important role as it protects the heart, participates in metabolism, and secretes substances that affect inflammatory processes. The report further highlights that in cases of heart disease, changes in the volume and density of this tissue serve as early indicators of potential problems.

Traditionally, doctors have manually assessed such changes by tracing the heart on numerous images, a process that demanded significant time and expertise. The newly developed programme automates this process, functioning rapidly and efficiently. Developed at the Research Institute of Cardiology, Tomsk Research Medical Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, and Tomsk Polytechnic University, the programme completes its analysis in an average of 22 seconds per study, with accuracy comparable to that of a specialist.

The official website of RAS also reports that this innovation not only conserves doctors' time but also enables the early detection of changes, facilitating faster diagnosis and more precise treatment selection. Konstantin Zavadovsky, Head of the Radiology Department at the Research Institute of Cardiology and Doctor of Medical Sciences, explained that the programme helps in prescribing treatment faster and selecting therapy more accurately.

The programme is based on artificial intelligence algorithms and has already received a patent, marking a significant advancement in the field of cardiology.