Within the scope of the "PROHEART-AI" project initiated by Marmara University with the unconditional support of "AstraZeneca Turkey", it is aimed to detect heart failure early using artificial intelligence and wearable technology.

According to epidemiological data, one out of every two heart failure patients admitted to the hospital dies within the next 5 years, and heart failure is also the most common reason for hospitalization in people over 65 years of age. This makes the early diagnosis and treatment of this disease even more important. Based on this data, Marmara University implemented the PROHEART-AI project, which will enable earlier detection of heart failure with artificial intelligence by using wearable technology, and to which AstraZeneca also provides unconditional support.

The meeting, where the project details were shared with the public, was attended by Marmara University Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Ümit Süleyman Şehirli, Director of Marmara University Hypertension and Atherosclerosis Education Application and Research Center (HIPAM) Prof. Dr. Ali Serdar Fak, President of AstraZeneca Middle East, Africa and Türkiye Region Dr. Pelin Eritiren İncesu and AstraZeneca Middle East and Africa Region Medical Director Dr. Viraj Rajadhyaksha.

In the multi-disciplinary “PROHEART-AI” project, in which Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, as well as the Faculty of Engineering, are involved, wearable technology that can instantly monitor some biological data of the heart and record these measurements will be used through the sensors on it. An algorithm will be developed on the basis of artificial intelligence with tracking data. The project stands out as one of the few studies that will enable early detection of heart failure using these technologies from a clinical perspective.

 “We Benefit From All The Opportunities Of Digital Transformation”

Marmara University HIPAM Director Prof. Dr. Ali Serdar Fak said in his statement: “Heart failure is one of the most common chronic health problems in Turkey and in the world. Clinical worsening may occur in the course of chronic heart failure, and patients frequently apply to the emergency department with increasing complaints. Emergency applications and hospitalizations adversely affect the course of the disease and the risk increases even more. Therefore, early detection of possible deterioration in follow-up is very important. Early recognition and timely treatment can improve the course of the disease. Last year, as HIPAM, we developed a software that can detect heart failure from biological data together with Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology and Marmara University Faculty of Engineering. It will soon be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal."

Stating that they aim to develop a software that will detect clinical worsening in chronic heart failure patients earlier in this project, Ali Serdar Fak stated that they follow the patients with five clinical centers and they will use this data obtained with wearable technology. “We believe we will achieve valuable results because we will use real data in a pre-planned manner. In this project, which we have implemented with a multidisciplinary approach, we aim to create a 'decision support system' in the follow-up of chronic heart failure patients, thanks to innovative technologies such as wearable devices and artificial intelligence. We will continue to fulfill our responsibility to prevent the development of heart failure, to slow down its progress if it has developed, to extend the life expectancy and improve the quality of life” said Ali Serdar Fak in his speech.

Dean of Marmara University Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Ümit Süleyman Şehirli said, “Marmara University, with its deep-rooted experience, is a pioneering, international and contemporary university with its multilingual education, producing value for all its stakeholders in science, culture, art and sports, aiming at sustainability, keeping social values in the foreground. While working with the vision of being an international university that shapes social development as one of the pioneers of education and research, we, as the Faculty of Medicine, are moving forward with the aim of carrying this vision of our university to the medical world. It is very valuable for us to move forward with our stakeholders in our work. This solution, which we have developed by utilizing innovative technologies, is the result of our strong cooperation with one of our stakeholders, AstraZeneca Turkey. This study will also make a very important contribution to our goal of a Turkey with an advanced multidisciplinary research understanding on cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension. We are happy to realize such an important project with a multidisciplinary approach in the field of cardiovascular diseases, which are the most common and cause of death in adults. We will continue our efforts uninterruptedly to provide solutions suitable for the information age by making use of all the possibilities of digital transformation.”

“A First Can Be Realized With The Results Of This Project”

In her speech, AstraZeneca Middle East, Africa and Turkey Regional President Dr. Pelin Erişen İncesu said, “While we continue our R&D and innovation studies, we also continue to work with the goal of a future that is integrated, focused on improved patient outcomes and has personalized healthcare solutions. By collaborating with technology companies and the academic world, we support healthcare professionals in the diagnosis of diseases. This cooperation with Marmara University on heart failure is a reflection of our determination to support healthcare professionals in the diagnosis of diseases by developing applications supported by artificial intelligence. In this context, we will provide unconditional support to Marmara University in this project that brings together new-generation technologies and health expertise. The results that will emerge from the project have the potential to break new ground not only in Turkey but also in the world. We aim to make Turkey a main center in our region in the field of heart failure. With Turkey's academic power and potential in the health sector, we will continue to offer solutions that will increase the quality of life of heart failure patients.”

“We Are Working To Ensure That This Disease Does Not Lead To Death”

AstraZeneca Middle East and Africa Region Medical Director Dr. Viraj Rajadhyaksha said, “At AstraZeneca, we are focused on accelerating the delivery of life-changing medicines to healthcare, inspired by our values and science. But we also know that we cannot accomplish our mission of delivering life-changing medicines to patients alone. We are also aware of the importance of collaborations for the benefit of patients and the communities in which we operate. In line with our vision of adopting innovative and new technologies under the leadership of science with Marmara University, we are proud to implement this project with the aim of better detecting diseases and improving health outcomes. With the “PROHEART-AI” project, we aim to offer solutions that will improve the quality of life of patients with heart failure by using wearable technology and artificial intelligence. We hope that this new initiative will bring innovation to the field of heart failure and pave the way for future collaborations.”

The event, attended by professionals and academics from the world of Medicine and Pharmacy, ended with a ceremony where the project parties signed the protocol on behalf of the university and industry cooperation.