Medical Break-Throughs That Have Happened This Year

Though it commonly seems as though the numerous scientific departments and sectors of our community have already accomplished all that they can, there are many treatments and discoveries that are still explored every day. There are countless questions to answer, problems to solve, and patients to help. Professionals and experts work tirelessly to evaluate the causes behind diseases and strengthen the health of every individual, and the various developments that have happened thus far in 2024 are worth recognizing. 

1) Pulsed-field ablation devices 

When the heart has an abnormality in its beating pattern/rhythm or seems to beat too fast or too slow, it is called a cardiac arrhythmia. Arrhythmias can vary in their mildness and severity, and the question of whether an individual will need a procedure or some sort of treatment largely depends on the case. Over time, arrhythmias can become worse or last longer, which is why this emergence of a new therapy is so exciting and notable! Pulsed-field ablation devices have been approved by the FDA, and this therapy uses short bursts of energy in the heart tissue rather than the traditional usage of heat or cold ablation. It has been called a “milestone” in electrophysiology and has been shifted to patient care settings in February of this year. It’s important to recognize such headway in medicine because traditional ablation therapies have risks and can injure other structures in the body. 

2) Blood testing for colorectal cancer 

The risks of colon cancer in the younger population is on a steady increase, its an especially abysmal statistic to see. The presence of a diet that is low in fiber and high in processed fat and excess calories can definitely increase your risk of developing colon cancer. Paired with a genetic predispostion, smoking, and a lack of excerise, its a pressing issue amongst our population. Which is why it is such important news that the FDA has recently approved a blood test for early screening of colon cancer. It’ll most likely be covered by private insurance companies, signaling a more accessible pathway for all. It has been proven as 83% effective through it’s ability to find DNA that tumors deposit in the bloodstream. It’s a step in the right direction, and a tool we can use against the debilitating disease. 

3) Usage of AI in the healthcare industry  

While AI involvement within clinical settings and the hospital is not an entirely new idea, the presence of these systems and technologies in healthcare is expected to rapidly increase in 2024. We’ve seen this new incorporation of AI in many different ways, as it takes on administrative roles and aids in organization/scheduling but also a more personalized role in the way that it helps conjure up diagnoses for patients. It’s a tool that many healthcare professionals can use to not only individualize their care, but ease up their workload and create efficiency. Whether AI should hold a role in these environments is a hotly contested topic, but there is no denying that the market that utilizes it is valued at an enormous value. The AI medical market is even forecasted to grow by the billions in the coming years! With its unmatched ability to collect and store health data, it’s a development that is worth monitoring and tracking as it progresses.