Recent research published in Nature journal has concluded that artificial intelligence (AI) can assess cardiac function better than sonographers, according to investigators from Cedars-Sinai. This assessment was based on a first-of-its-kind, randomized, double-blind clinical trial of AI in cardiology, making it one of the most rigorous studies yet in AI’s efficacy in medical diagnosis.
The study compared transthoracic echocardiogram assessments made by AI and sonographers, with cardiologists performing the final adjudication. It was found that cardiologists agreed more with the AI assessments and felt it necessary to correct only 16.8 % of AI’s initial assessments, compared to 27.2 % of sonographer’s. Moreover, the AI technology was able to save cardiologists and sonographers time.
The trial lead, cardiologist David Ouyang, MD, said, “The results have immediate implications for patients undergoing cardiac function imaging as well as broader implications for the field of cardiac imaging. This trial offers rigorous evidence that utilizing AI in this novel way can improve the quality and effectiveness of echocardiogram imaging for many patients.”
The trial was successful in paving the way for this technology to be effectively utilised at Cedars-Sinai and health systems all around the world. The team of researchers conducted this trial with the aim to demonstrate seamless deployment of AI technology for improved patient care.
Sumeet Chugh, Director of the Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Pauline & Harold Price Chair in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research observed that, “This successful clinical trial sets a superb precedent for how novel clinical AI algorithms can be discovered and tested within health systems, increasing the likelihood of seamless deployment for improved patient care.”
The research team at Cedars-Sinai and Stanford University developed the AI technology that was used in this study. This technology was able to accurately assess left ventricular ejection fraction which is a key part of measuring cardiac function. According to Dr. Susan Cheng, director of the Institute for Research on Healthy Aging, Professor at the Department of Cardiology and co-senior author of the study, this evidence provided extra reassurance for health systems across the globe and set a new bar for AI technologies to be considered for FDA approval.
It can be safely concluded that AI technology has made considerable strides in the field of medical diagnosis and improved the quality of cardiac imaging. With further investments and backings, AI can revolutionize healthcare and become a powerful ally for medical professionals in the future.
