Christ Hospital Tests AI App for Rapid Heart Attack Detection
“Queen of Hearts” analyzes EKGs in seconds to support faster treatment decisions.
The Christ Hospital Health Network in Cincinnati is testing an artificial intelligence tool designed to improve how doctors detect and assess heart attacks using electrocardiograms (EKGs), according to a report by WLWT.
The system, described in the report as “Queen of Hearts,” analyzes EKG results and provides an automated assessment within seconds. Physicians can upload an image of an EKG through a mobile device, after which the tool generates guidance on whether immediate intervention is required.
Dr. Timothy Henry, a Cardiologist at The Christ Hospital Health Network, said the tool is intended to support clinical decision-making and improve confidence in identifying severe cases, to WLWT. He said the system helps determine when an “immediate invasive strategy or equivalent management is necessary.”
The hospital has been evaluating the technology through a clinical study involving close to 1,000 patients. According to Henry, the system achieved about 95% accuracy in complex cases that are often difficult to diagnose using standard interpretation methods.
The study also examined the tool’s ability to reduce false positives. Henry said approximately 90% of false positives were eliminated.
According to the report, the AI system is being used to assist in identifying ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a severe type of heart attack that requires rapid treatment. The American Heart Association notes that timely treatment is critical for heart attacks, with guidelines emphasizing rapid intervention to restore blood flow and reduce damage to heart muscle.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Ohio, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Faster identification of heart attacks is directly tied to improved survival and reduced complications.
Henry said the tool may also be useful in situations where specialist coverage is limited. Some hospitals and emergency settings do not always have immediate access to cardiologists or experienced EKG readers. The system is intended to provide additional support in these cases by offering consistent analysis.
The technology is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to WLWT. Henry said it is expected to receive approval, after which it could be integrated more broadly into clinical workflows.
If approved, the hospital expects the tool to become part of routine care for evaluating suspected heart attack cases. The goal is to reduce diagnostic delays and support faster treatment decisions in emergency settings, it said.