Use of Artificial Intelligence to Assess Cardiac Function by Echocardiography: Systematic Review of the State of the Art

Abstract

Background: Echocardiography is part of the routine investigation of most heart diseases. However, its operatordependent nature and the quality of the image obtained can cause significant variability in measurements and impair their interpretation. The method has advanced on its path of standardization and incorporation of new technologies in an attempt to reduce its deficiencies. Recently, part of this advancement was due to the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI). Objectives: The objective of this work was to investigate the use of AI in the assessment of cardiac function through echocardiography, discussing its potential to improve the method. Methods: We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), searching for articles within the period of 2000 to 2023. Results: A total of 31 articles were included, classified into four categories of studies that used AI: 1) for image analysis and echocardiographic parameters (N = 14); 2) in the image acquisition process (N = 11); 3) for integration with clinical data (N = 3); and 4) for application to the exam flow (N = 3).Conclusion: AI provides automation and standardization of images and respective measurements that result in more accurate diagnoses, overcoming the limitations encountered by the conventional method. However, the use of AI is still an evolving reality within echocardiography.