Dr Martha Gulati: Cardiologists Explore Their Role in Obesity Management, AI Utilization

As the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2024 kicks off, attendees are learning about new clinical guidelines, artificial intelligence (AI), and interactive sessions.

Martha Gulati, MD, director of Preventive Cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, expressed her excitement for late-breaking research exploring how AI can impact daily practice. "We're all trying to figure out how artificial intelligence can actually impact our practice on a daily basis," she said in an interview with The American Journal of Managed Care^® (AJMC^®).

Several presentations will explore the use of AI in various areas, including heart failure detection using cardiac imaging, AI interpretation of electrocardiograms (EKG), and even AI applications for cancer patients experiencing acute coronary syndrome. Gulati noted the potential of AI to enhance patient care and identify at-risk individuals as a major draw. "This is going to be really interesting, and I think this is a trend that we're seeing at our meetings—more and more presentations on artificial intelligence," she added.

The release of new clinical guidelines is a hallmark of the event each year. Gulati is particularly interested in the new guidelines on obesity management because it's both a chronic disease and a significant risk factor for heart disease. "Cardiology needs to be in the obesity game,” she emphasized. “We really need to be the ones guiding the treatment for our patients, particularly when they've been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease."

Beyond the scientific content, the meeting also offers engaging and interactive experiences. Gulati will participate in ESC's Jeopardy Challenge on Sunday as part of the "Queen of Hearts" team. The most significant aspect of the Congress, for Gulati, is the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from around the world. She reflected on the challenges of virtual meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of these interactions. "The human connection really does matter," she said. "I'm just looking forward to seeing my colleagues, sharing science, and being excited by the way that we can improve the health of our patients."