Alibaba DAMO Academy Unveils iAorta AI for Rapid Aortic Syndrome Detection

September 4, 2025

Details

  • Alibaba DAMO Academy has launched iAorta, an AI model capable of detecting life-threatening Acute Aortic Syndrome (AAS) from routine non-contrast CT scans, shortening diagnosis time to under two hours from the typical 4.3-hour median.
  • The model was developed over three years in collaboration with The First Affiliated Hospital at Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and has already identified 21 atypical AAS cases among over 10,000 chest pain patients in pilot programs.
  • iAorta examines the aorta’s structure and spots dangerous vessel wall changes using non-contrast scans, providing access to advanced diagnostics in settings where contrast agents or specialized imaging may not be available.
  • Following deployment in 10 pilot hospitals across Zhejiang Province, there are plans for broader national rollout to address the urgent need for faster AAS diagnosis, which is critical as the condition’s mortality rate can reach 30% without timely intervention.
  • This initiative extends DAMO’s broader medical AI efforts, which include multi-condition screening from single non-contrast CT scans and the PANDA model for pancreatic cancer detection, which gained FDA breakthrough device status in April 2025.

Impact

Alibaba’s iAorta marks a significant step for medical AI in China, offering hospitals—particularly those with fewer specialists—a crucial tool for faster emergency diagnoses. With DAMO’s ongoing partnerships and focus on deploying AI for social good, this development highlights a global push toward equitable, AI-driven healthcare advancements in underserved regions.

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