Real-time guidance and automated measurements using deep learning to improve echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular size and function.

Abstract

Aims: The low reproducibility of echocardiographic measurements challenges the identification of subtle changes in left ventricular (LV) function. Deep learning (DL) methods enable real-time analysis of acquisitions and may improve echocardiography. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of DL-based guidance and automated measurements on the reproducibility of LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic (ESV) volume, and ejection fraction (EF).

Methods and results: Forty-six patients (24 breast cancer and 22 general cardiology patients) were included and underwent four consecutive echocardiograms. Six were included twice, totalling 52 inclusions and 208 echocardiograms. One sonographer-cardiologist pair used DL guidance and measurements (DL group), while another did not use DL tools and performed manual measurements (manual group). DL group recordings were also measured using a commercially available DL-based EF tool. For GLS, the DL group had a 30% lower test-retest variability than the manual group (minimal detectable change 2.0 vs. 2.9, P = 0.036). LV volumes had ∼40% lower minimal detectable changes in the DL group vs. the manual group (32 mL vs. 52 mL for EDV and 18 mL vs. 32 mL for ESV, P ≤ 0.006). This did not translate to a significant improvement in EF reproducibility in the DL group. The benchmarking method showed similar results compared with the manual group.

Conclusion: Combining real-time DL guidance with automated measurements improved the reproducibility of LV size and function measurements compared with usual care, but future studies are needed to evaluate its clinical effect.

Trial registration number: NCT06310330.