Tracing Visual Expertise in ECG Interpretation: An Eye-Tracking Pilot Study

IF 1.1 4区医学 Q4 CARDIAC & CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS

Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology Pub Date : 2025-04-18 DOI:10.1111/anec.70082

Alessandro Bortolotti, Fabrizio Ricci, Carmelita Cieri, Federica Cocco, Chiara Martini, Marcello Panunzi, Davide Rossi, Anna Sorella, Silvio Saraullo, Davide Scordo, Giulia Renda, Sabina Gallina, Riccardo Palumbo

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Visual expertise is pivotal for accurate ECG interpretation. We aimed to identify and measure expertise-based differences in visual search patterns, cognitive load, and diagnostic accuracy during ECG analysis using eye-tracking technology.

Methods

First- to third-year residents and board-certified expert cardiologists interpreted ECGs of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome, while eye-tracking glasses recorded fixation count, duration, and pupil dilation. Diagnostic accuracy and cognitive load via NASA Task Load Index were analyzed. Heatmaps illustrated relationships between cognitive load, perceived workload, and self-assessed performance across experience levels and ECG task complexities.

Results

Expert readers interpreted ECGs significantly faster than residents (107.6 ± 32.8 vs. 205.31 ± 57.43 s; p < 0.001) and demonstrated higher diagnostic accuracy across all levels of task difficulty (p < 0.001). Eye-tracking analysis revealed that experts exhibited fewer fixations (67.7 ± 25.7 vs. 143.7 ± 29.9; p < 0.001) and longer fixation durations (3.9 ± 0.7 vs. 3.2 ± 1 s; p = 0.032) than residents. Experts also showed lower pupil dilation changes (4.8% ± 2% vs. 10.5% ± 4.2%; p = 0.015). Increased task difficulty was associated with greater pupil dilation, particularly among novices (mean pupil dilation for difficult tasks 13.4% ± 4.1% vs. 7.3% ± 2.3% for easy tasks; p = 0.008), indicating higher cognitive demand. Experts maintained superior self-assessed performance (8 ± 0 vs. 7 ± 1.2; p = 0.009) and reported lower perceived negative workload (4.5 ± 1.45 vs. 6 ± 0.55; p = 0.041).

Conclusions

In this pilot study, expert readers achieved faster and more accurate diagnoses, exhibiting more efficient visual search patterns and lower cognitive load. Pending external validation, our findings suggest that ECG training programs should focus on developing targeted visual techniques, cognitive efficiency, and adaptive coping strategies to enhance accurate interpretation.

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来源期刊

Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology 医学-心血管系统

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： The ANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY (A.N.E) is an online only journal that incorporates ongoing advances in the clinical application and technology of traditional and new ECG-based techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac patients. ANE is the first journal in an evolving subspecialty that incorporates ongoing advances in the clinical application and technology of traditional and new ECG-based techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac patients. The publication includes topics related to 12-lead, exercise and high-resolution electrocardiography, arrhythmias, ischemia, repolarization phenomena, heart rate variability, circadian rhythms, bioengineering technology, signal-averaged ECGs, T-wave alternans and automatic external defibrillation. ANE publishes peer-reviewed articles of interest to clinicians and researchers in the field of noninvasive electrocardiology. Original research, clinical studies, state-of-the-art reviews, case reports, technical notes, and letters to the editors will be published to meet future demands in this field.