AI4 CARDIO

Researchers in charge :
● ACE MITIC
○ Professor Moussa Lo, Gaston Berger University, Senegal.
○ Dr. Mouhamadou Lamine Ba, Université Alioune Diop, Senegal.
● ACE SMIA
○ Dr. Jules Degila, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin.

Other partners:
● Prof. Fodé Camara, Université Alioune Diop, Senegal.
● Dr Vinasetan Ratheil Esse Houndji, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
● Dr. Yénukunmè Pélagie Elyse Houngue, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
● Dr. Modou Gueye, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Senegal.
● Prof. Idrissa Sarr, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Senegal.
● Dr. Assane Gueye, Carnegie Mellon Afrique University, Kigali, Rwanda.
● Dr. Carlyna Bondiombouy, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
● Pr Adama Kane, Service de cardiologie, Centre hospitalier régional de Saint-Louis, Senegal.
● Dr Serigne Mor Bèye, Cardiology Department, Saint-Louis Regional Hospital, Senegal.
● Dr Bassirou Ngom, CUMO, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Fann, Dakar, Senegal.
● Dr. Ousmane Niang, Institut supérieur d'économie appliquée, Dakar, Senegal.

Title: AI-based analytical framework for cardiovascular disease prevention and monitoring in African countries.

Type of project: Research project (4 years)

Summary:
In recent years, patients suffering from cardiovascular disease have been on the rise in sub-Saharan countries (e.g. Senegal and Benin), leading to numerous deaths or serious health complications. In its report entitled "Situation économique et sociale du Sénégal en 2016" the Agence nationale de la statistique et de la démographie (ANSD) estimates the number of cardiologists in Senegal at 56 across the country. This number is far too low for the population, making it difficult, if not impossible, for people suffering from heart disease or related pathologies to consult a specialist when they need one. The result is medical deserts, long queues for appointments, overworked practitioners, a lack of knowledge of medical histories, lifestyle habits, monitoring equipment, etc. The same problem of lack of resources also applies to the country's cardiology technical facilities. This is evidenced by the insufficient number of on-board devices and analysis laboratories for cardiology, despite their essential role in the diagnosis, prevention and monitoring of heart disease and related pathologies, patient management and decision support. Given these issues and the recent resurgence of cardiovascular events in sub-Saharan African countries, in this project we aim to build an AI-based analytical framework for the prevention and monitoring of cardiovascular disease. The ultimate goal is to provide practitioners (researchers, cardiologists, etc.) with an IT platform that facilitates, if not enables, a number of essential tasks, including: (1) automation of patient record management; (2) remote monitoring and ubiquitous access to patient information; (3) early prediction of heart attack risk for new patients; (4) effective prevention strategies; and (5) effective and appropriate action when unusual events occur, especially for people living in underserved areas.