A new artificial intelligence (AI) system can scan the heart and predict the risk of future blockages long before any symptoms appear, according to a new study.

The system, developed by researchers at the University of Oxford, uses a technique called deep learning to analyse cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images and identify subtle changes in the heart muscle that indicate early signs of coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is the leading cause of death worldwide and occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits called plaques.

The AI system can detect these plaques and estimate their severity, as well as calculate the likelihood of a patient developing a major cardiac event within the next four years.

The researchers say that this could help doctors to intervene earlier and prevent complications such as heart attacks and strokes.