Heart attacks and strokes are the leading causes of death and disability in the world. They are caused by the rupture of dangerous fatty deposits, called plaques, that build up in the arteries of the neck and heart. The only current method to identify whether a person is at risk of having a heart attack or stroke is to measure the narrowing of the artery caused by the plaque. However, this method is insufficient and leads to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment allocation. Therefore, we aim to develop a novel method, to be used by researchers and clinicians world-wide, that uses artificial intelligence to improve the characterization and the identification of dangerous plaques. This will lead to better prediction, better treatment, and ultimately better prevention of heart attacks and strokes. The partner organization (PLAKK) will benefit from
commercialization of the artificial intelligence product and the establishment of network connections (i.e., potential customers) within the academic institution.