Russia Expands AI Diagnostics to ECG and Colonoscopy Procedures

Russian doctors are set to gain new artificial intelligence tools for interpreting electrocardiograms (ECGs) and colonoscopies, a move officials say will sharpen diagnostic accuracy and speed up patient care. The announcement came from Ilya Balanin, chairman of the Federal Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund (FFOMS), in an interview with RIA Novosti.

"The use of AI-based clinical decision support systems significantly improves diagnostic precision," Balanin explained. He noted that the technology, already deployed in mammography, X-ray, fluorography, and CT scans of the chest, will now expand to cover cardiac and gastrointestinal exams. The shift is expected to reduce human error and help physicians reach conclusions faster.

Balanin emphasized that the broader application of AI in diagnostics is meant to assist, not replace, medical professionals. Earlier, the rector of Sechenov University, Petr Glybochko, described AI as a "highly accurate tool and a reliable assistant to the clinician." He stressed that the final diagnosis and treatment plan remain the sole responsibility of the attending physician.

Source: RIA Novosti