Revolutionizing Canine Cardiology: ACVIM 2025: Evaluating NXSCOPE for Generating PCG Reports in Healthy and Cardiac-Disordered Canines

At the ACVIM Forum 2025, a scientific poster titled “Evaluating NXSCOPE for Generating PCG Cardiology Reports in Healthy and Cardiac-Disordered Canines” was presented by Dr. Gerard O'Leary, a Postdoctoral Fellow from the University of Toronto. This study is a significant step in enhancing the way veterinary professionals diagnose and monitor canine heart conditions using advanced technology.

Background: Why Cardiac Evaluation in Canines Matters

Cardiac health is crucial in dogs, as even subtle changes in heart function can drastically alter treatment plans and patient outcomes. Early and accurate detection of heart conditions is essential for providing timely interventions, yet traditional diagnostic tools often require invasive procedures or are not available in every practice setting. That’s where NXSCOPE comes in.

NXSCOPE is a stethoscope attachment that combines AI-driven phonocardiography (PCG) analytics with automated transcription of veterinarian-client conversations. This unique integration not only records heart sounds but also pulls contextual patient data from the conversation to improve diagnostic accuracy. It promises a non-invasive, efficient, and accurate diagnostic tool that could make canine cardiology more accessible.

The Study: NXSCOPE’s Potential as a Diagnostic Tool

The study aimed to assess whether NXSCOPE could reliably generate PCG cardiology reports for both healthy dogs and those diagnosed with cardiac disorders. The research was conducted on 20 client-owned dogs—10 healthy dogs and 10 with known cardiac conditions—recruited from a single veterinary hospital.

Methods: Comprehensive Data Collection

During routine exams, NXSCOPE recorded heart sounds and transcribed the client-veterinarian dialogues via its built-in microphone. The device also automatically extracted key patient profiles, such as breed and age, to improve the accuracy of the analysis.

The PCG data—which includes sounds like murmurs and arrhythmias—were then analyzed and compared with results from more traditional diagnostic techniques like echocardiography. In addition to heart sounds, NXSCOPE also captured vital signs (heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate), which were integrated into the cardiology reports, offering a comprehensive view of the dog's health.

Results: Positive Correlation with Traditional Diagnostic Methods

The results from the study were encouraging, with PCG findings strongly correlating with echocardiographic results. Notably, murmur and arrhythmia detection sensitivity was comparable to ECG findings, demonstrating that NXSCOPE could provide reliable cardiac assessments. The integration of real-time acoustic analysis with patient data greatly enhanced the diagnostic accuracy of these assessments.

Clinicians also reported an improvement in workflow efficiency and diagnostic confidence due to the seamless integration of patient information and the ability to analyze heart sounds in real time.

Conclusions: A Game-Changer for Canine Cardiology

This study shows that NXSCOPE is not just a tool for heart sound analysis but a comprehensive, non-invasive diagnostic tool that merges AI-powered phonocardiography with contextual patient information. This integration can enhance diagnostic accuracy, making it easier to detect heart conditions early on.

For veterinary practices, NXSCOPE represents a streamlined workflow, as it reduces reliance on multiple tools and provides actionable data with minimal effort. By automating vital sign capture and heart sound analysis, veterinary clinics can reduce the time spent on diagnostics, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

The Future of Canine Cardiology

The integration of advanced technologies like NXSCOPE into veterinary practices could be a game-changer for early diagnosis and improved treatment strategies in canine cardiology. Its non-invasive, easy-to-use design makes it a practical tool for veterinary clinics of all sizes, while its ability to provide real-time analysis supports earlier intervention and better patient care.

As veterinary practices continue to embrace the role of AI and smart devices, NXSCOPE offers an exciting glimpse into the future of veterinary diagnostics, providing tools that work as hard as veterinary professionals to ensure healthier, happier pets.