AI-Driven Cardiovascular Innovation: New Research to Unveil Breakthroughs in Stroke Prediction and Arterial Inflammation
OXFORD, England and STAMFORD, Conn. — As the global medical community prepares for the upcoming European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Munich, Caristo Diagnostics has announced a series of high-impact research presentations that could redefine how clinicians assess cardiovascular risk. Led by experts from the University of Oxford, these studies showcase the expanding capabilities of AI technologies in identifying hidden heart disease and predicting life-threatening events before they occur.
Cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading cause of mortality, responsible for 85% of heart attack and stroke deaths. While traditional screening methods focus on anatomy, the research to be presented at ESC—running from August 28–31, 2026—shifts the focus toward “biological drivers,” specifically localized inflammation within the arteries.
Pushing Beyond Coronary Imaging
While Caristo’s existing suite—including the FDA-authorized CaRi-Heart® and the AI-powered CaRi-Plaque®—is already transforming coronary diagnostics, the new abstracts look toward the next frontier. Attendees will see early-stage data exploring the use of the FAI-Score™ on non-contrast cardiac CT scans, a significant development for patients who currently lack access to contrast-enhanced imaging.
“Cardiovascular inflammation is at the core of cardiovascular disease biology,” said Steve Deitsch, CEO of Caristo Diagnostics. “The research to be presented at ESC explores the broader potential of our platform, including applications in stroke prediction and the ability to perform a ‘virtual biopsy’ of arterial inflammation, moving us closer to addressing cardiovascular diseases that extend beyond coronary artery disease.”
Key Scientific Milestones at ESC 2026
The following presentations will highlight the breadth of the University of Oxford-led research:
- Stroke Prediction (The ORFAN-MAESTRIA Study): Prof. Charalambos Antoniades will present late-breaking results on utilizing AI to detect atrial myopathy and predict cardioembolic stroke via routine cardiac CT, a critical step toward early stroke intervention.
- Zero-Calcium Risk: Prof. Kenneth Chan will demonstrate how the FAI-Score™ can identify high-risk individuals even in patients with a “zero” calcium score, proving that inflammation markers can detect risks invisible to traditional calcification tests.
- Virtual Biopsy: Prof. Christos Kotanidis will present data from over 80,000 patients, showing how a “virtual biopsy” of arterial cytokine activation can predict long-term cardiac mortality.
- Risk Factors: Prof. Leanne Eveson will explore how coronary inflammation predicts risk even in patients who lack standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRFs), highlighting the necessity of advanced AI screening.
Shaping the Future of Cardiology
Beyond the clinical research, University of Oxford faculty will participate in expert panels and debates. These sessions, including discussions on AI-guided treatment and the integration of advanced imaging in standard practice, underscore the shift toward a more precise, personalized approach to heart health.
Caristo Diagnostics, a spin-out from the University of Oxford and a 2026 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, continues to lead the industry in early detection. These presentations reinforce the company’s commitment to moving beyond reactive medicine, providing clinicians with the tools to intercept cardiovascular disease at its earliest, most manageable stages.
About Caristo Diagnostics
Caristo Diagnostics is a global leader in AI technologies for cardiovascular disease. Its award-winning platforms help detect hidden heart disease, identifying at-risk patients before symptomatic events occur. For more information, visit www.caristo.com.
