01/12/2026
A significant safety study, led by our UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine, tested an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered electrocardiogram (ECG) model to assess its ability to detect severe heart attacks.
In over 1,000 emergency cases, the AI platform outperformed standard triage in the emergency department. It identified ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) heart attacks more accurately and with far fewer false alarms.
“STEMI is a life-threatening emergency where every minute matters. Accurate diagnosis and rapid treatment to restore blood flow are critical and any tool that speeds up this process can help us save more lives," said Bryn Mumma, M.D., M.A.S., professor of emergency medicine and primary investigator of the study.
The AI model used in the study, she noted, should be interpreted with caution. While AI offers powerful capabilities, it must serve as a support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Learn more about the study: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/new-study-finds-ai-model-improves-heart-attack-detection/2025/11
Image descriptions:
1: A finger points at a scan on the computer. Text reads "Doctors are using AI to help detect severe heart attacks faster. A new study led by UC Davis Health shows promising results for emergency care."
2: Two people sit in a hospital room, with one pointing at a scan on a screen. Text reads "The Emergency Department at UC Davis Medical Center was one of three sites nationwide to test an AI-powered ECG tool. The tool helps identify the most dangerous type of heart attack: a STEMI."
3: Text reads "A STEMI is a severe type of heart attack caused by a completely blocked artery. In the case of a STEMI, even a few minutes delay in treatment can triple the risk of death."
4: A phone shows an ECG diagram and text reads "In our study, AI outperformed standard triage. It detected more true heart attacks and cut false alarms dramatically."
5: An image of Bryn Mumma with text that reads a quote. “These results demonstrate the potential of AI-based applications to transform emergency cardiovascular care.”
6: An ECG machine with text that reads "Fewer false alarms mean faster care for real emergencies. Hospitals can use AI to help doctors respond faster and save more lives."