The DeepCardio booth at KIMES 2026. | Photo by AVING News
DeepCardio (CEOs Dae-Hyeok Kim and Wonik Choi) participated in the ‘INSPIRE Special Pavilion’ at KIMES 2026 (The 41st Korea International Medical & Hospital Equipment Show) held at COEX in Seoul from March 19 (Thu) to 22 (Sun).
DeepCardio is a medical AI startup established in 2020, centered on cardiology medical staff and experts in Artificial Intelligence. By combining electrocardiogram (ECG) big data from clinical sites with the latest deep learning technology, the company focuses on identifying subtle cardiac abnormalities that are difficult to detect with existing diagnostic systems.
Notably, DeepCardio’s technology and product lines are designed to identify the mechanisms of various heart diseases using the ECG, one of the most universal cardiac biomarkers. The company is reportedly expanding its market position by supplying its solutions to hospitals at all levels, including university and general hospitals.
At this exhibition, DeepCardio introduced three models from the ‘SmartECG’ series that integrate its medical AI technology. These solutions focus on capturing fine-grained cardiac conditions using standard 12-lead ECG data commonly used in medical practice.
‘SmartECG-AF’ is a solution that predicts paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. It uses AI to capture signs of future arrhythmia even in Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR) waveforms without specific symptoms, providing an opportunity for early treatment. It has proven reliable for diagnosing atrial fibrillation, with a high Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.9071.
Also introduced was ‘SmartECG-EF,’ software that predicts a decrease in cardiac systolic function (Ejection Fraction) using only an ECG, without the need for cardiac ultrasound. It can diagnose various types of heart failure (HFrEF, HFmrEF, HFpEF) in less than five minutes and at an efficient cost. It is particularly helpful for quickly assessing prognosis during functional recovery after treatment.
‘SmartECG-CV Risk,’ which estimates so-called ‘heart age,’ uses intuitive figures to alert patients to risks of diseases such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, and angina, enabling customized health management. DeepCardio previously obtained research results showing that when the heart age measured based on an ECG is more than six years higher than the actual age, the hospitalization and mortality rates due to these diseases are two to three times higher than those of the comparison group. For this, the company was selected for a research award (in the Digital Heart category) by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA).
DeepCardio’s SmartECG product line enables deep learning algorithms to recognize cardiac remodeling signals inherent in cardiac electrical signals, rapidly emerging as an efficient alternative to examinations using cardiac ultrasound or Holter-type equipment. The company explained that the functionality of each solution in classifying high-risk groups from the basic screening stage supports medical staff in resource allocation and the establishment of customized treatment plans.
Actually, the SmartECG product line has been distributed to approximately 30 hospitals in Korea to date. Through this KIMES, DeepCardio aims to expand its supply chain, which has been centered on large hospitals, to primary medical institutions. The company presented its ambition to lead in addressing medical blind spots by enabling in-depth cardiac screening comparable to that of a specialist, even at the local clinic level.
The global market entry strategy is also taking shape. Immediately upon completing ongoing international certification procedures (FDA, CE), the company will begin developing sales channels in North America and Europe. In the process, it plans to actively promote partnerships with local medical device manufacturers to increase the likelihood of a successful settlement.
A DeepCardio official stated, “The SmartECG series is an innovative solution that can predict the future of heart health with just a simple ECG measurement.” They added, “We expect our technology and services to become the new standard for heart management in medical sites worldwide, significantly lowering mortality rates caused by cardiovascular diseases.”
Since its first session in 1980, KIMES has been a specialized exhibition for medical devices and hospital facilities, growing steadily alongside the development of the Korean medical industry. It is the largest platform where medical experts and influential buyers gather to explore the latest medical technologies and sustainable solutions. The ‘INSPIRE Special Pavilion,’ held concurrently with the KIMES 2026 exhibition, is a space where healthcare innovations converge, allowing visitors to see advanced solutions such as medical AI, digital healthcare, wearables, and data analytics in one place.
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