Ochsner Health Joins $15 Million AI Network for Heart Valve Disease Detection

Ochsner Health has joined a $15 million research initiative led by the American Heart Association to advance early detection and treatment of valvular heart disease, which affects more than 80 million people worldwide.

The program, part of the American Heart Association’s Strategically Focused Research Network, brings together three principal investigators, including Craig Sable, MD, a pediatric cardiologist at Ochsner Children's. Sable is leading efforts to apply artificial intelligence to echocardiography screening for early detection of rheumatic heart disease (RHD), a condition that remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity in low-resource settings.

Ochsner’s participation builds on its broader investment in data and AI capabilities across clinical operations, including predictive analytics and imaging support systems. The health system has deployed AI in areas such as risk prediction and diagnostic prioritization, positioning the current initiative as an extension of its existing infrastructure.

AI Screening and Early Detection Strategy

The initiative focuses on scaling echocardiography screening using AI models that can assist in detecting early signs of RHD. These systems analyze cardiac imaging data and can identify patterns associated with disease progression, supporting earlier intervention.