Artificial Intelligence Methods for Rapid Vascular Access Aneurysm Classification in Remote or In-Person Settings

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) have proven to be effective contributors to high-quality health care. We examined the beneficial role AI can play in noninvasively grading vascular access aneurysms to reduce high-morbidity events, such as rupture, in ESRD patients on hemodialysis. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Our AI instrument noninvasively examines and grades aneurysms in both arteriovenous fistulas and arteriovenous grafts. Aneurysm stages were adjudicated by 3 vascular specialists, based on a grading system that focuses on actions that need to be taken. Our automatic classification of aneurysms builds on 2 components: (a) the use of smartphone technology to capture aneurysm appearance and (b) the analysis of these images using a cloud-based convolutional neural network (CNN). <b><i>Results:</i></b> There was a high degree of correlation between our noninvasive AI instrument and the results of the adjudication by the vascular experts. Our results indicate that CNN can automatically classify aneurysms. We achieved a >90% classification accuracy in the validation images. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This is the first quality improvement project to show that an AI instrument can reliably grade vascular access aneurysms in a noninvasive way, allowing rapid assessments to be made on patients who would otherwise be at risk for highly morbid events. Moreover, these AI-assisted assessments can be made without having to schedule separate appointments and potentially even via telehealth.

A short report on the current landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in vascular surgery in Pakistan

“…The research involved the utilization of AI for the non-invasive grading of vascular access aneurysms, thereby reducing highmorbidity events such as rupture in patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). 18 AI can help reduce workload on vascular surgeons as it decreases the requirement of human resources by automating the diagnosis and treatment planning process. 19 Diseases managed by vascular surgeons, like PAD and AAA , impose a significant healthcare burden.…”

Structural design and mechanical performance of composite vascular grafts

“…The role of AI in predicting graft patency was formulated in 2006 [190], and in recent years, AI has been extensively used for this purpose. AI has been demonstrated to predict ventricular function [191]-that is heart function to maintain blood supply to arteries, and detect aneurysms [192], which leads to the weakening and rupture of blood vessels. Similarly, machinelearning models based on big data are now being used to perform the screening of stenoses in grafts [193,194] to predict abnormal contractions in blood passages.…”

Mitigating challenges and expanding the future of vascular tissue engineering—are we there yet?

“…Anticipated steps toward introducing artificial intelligence (AI) approaches to support automated production may further enhance this technology’s clinical potential, help mitigate challenges, and expand the future of VTE ( Xu et al, 2005 ; Nguyen et al, 2019 ; Krackov et al, 2021 ). AI approaches have expanded our fundamental understanding of biological processes and are set to deliver enhanced medical solutions at the population and personal levels ( Corridon et al, 2022 ).…”