Johns Hopkins University researchers have developed a groundbreaking AI model called MAARS that can predict sudden cardiac death with 89% accuracy by analyzing heart MRI scans and medical records. The federally-funded breakthrough could save countless lives and prevent unnecessary medical interventions, including unneeded defibrillator implantations.
The AI system excels at detecting scarring patterns in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, one of the most common inherited heart diseases affecting 1 in 200-500 people worldwide and a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young people and athletes. Unlike current clinical guidelines that are accurate only about half the time, the AI model achieved 93% accuracy for people aged 40-60, the highest-risk population. The technology represents a major advancement in personalized cardiac care, offering hope for earlier intervention and better outcomes for millions of patients globally.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250702214205.htm