Bulgarian medical team launches AI stroke risk calculator

A new AI-driven online calculator, iStroke-BG, has been introduced to assess the five-year risk of ischemic stroke specifically for the Bulgarian population. Developed by a team at the Neurosurgery Clinic of UMBALSM N. I. Pirogov, the tool was presented during a roundtable discussion organized by the Brain Health Council Foundation.

The calculator utilizes 12 indicators to evaluate risk, including age, sex, systolic blood pressure, hypertension treatment, diabetes, smoking status, total cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, and BMI. The goal of the tool is to support early identification of rising risks, allowing for timely neurological consultation and preventative measures.

Medical experts, including Professor Nikolay Gabrovski and Dr. Mihail Petrov, emphasized that while artificial intelligence can support clinical decisions and patient pathways, it must be integrated into a well-organized healthcare system. Dr. Nikolay Branzalov of the Bulgarian Medical Union noted that technology should assist medical expertise rather than replace it, stressing that the responsibility for clinical decisions remains with the physician.