AI in Imaging How Will it Change What We Do

Guest: Tim Poterucha, M.D. Host: Kyle Klarich, M.D. Artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to reshape how we acquire, interpret, and act on cardiovascular imaging, particularly echocardiography. In this episode, we’ll walk through how we got here—from the historical innovation arc of echo to modern AI tools that segment images, detect disease, and support interpretation—and discuss what is real, what is hype, and where the true clinical opportunities and risks lie. We’ll also explore what this means for practicing clinicians and trainees who are considering a future in imaging. Topics Discussed: • When it comes specifically to cardiovascular imaging, what is the current role of AI, and why is imaging such a natural fit for these tools? • What are the problems with how we interpret imaging now, and what are the risks of AI? • What is hype right now, and what is real? • Is AI going to replace cardiologists for medical imaging interpretation, and should cardiology fellows be worried about going into imaging with the rise of AI? 0:00 Introduction to AI in imaging 1:58 Defining AI in cardiovascular care 3:17 Imaging innovation and echocardiography 5:25 How AI research interest began 8:45 Challenges in image interpretation 11:23 Current AI tools in practice 13:55 AI risks, hype and limitations 15:30 Human and AI interpretation accuracy 18:19 Will AI replace cardiologists? 20:02 Detecting hidden cardiac amyloidosis 22:03 Bias and generalizability in AI 24:34 Future vision for AI imaging 25:52 Closing remarks 26:51 Cardiovascular education resources From Mayo Clinic to your inbox (free): https://mayocl.in/3e71zfi Visit Mayo Clinic: https://mayocl.in/2COVmlm Connect with Mayo Clinic: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayoclinic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayoclinic X: https://x.com/MayoClinic Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mayoclinic