Retraining an Artificial Intelligence Algorithm to Calculate Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Pediatrics

Objectives Identifying patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and monitoring LVEF responses to treatment are important clinical goals. Can a deep-learning algorithm predict pediatric LVEF within clinically acceptable error? Design The study authors wanted to fine-tune an adult deep-learning algorithm to calculate LVEF in pediatric patients. A priori, their objective was to refine the algorithm to perform LVEF calculation with a mean absolute error (MAE) ≤5%. Setting A quaternary pediatric hospital Participants A convenience sample (n = 321) of echocardiograms from newborns to 18 years old with normal cardiac anatomy or hemodynamically insignificant anomalies. Echocardiograms were chosen from a group of healthy controls with known normal LVEF (n = 267) and a dilated cardiomyopathy patient group with reduced LVEF (n = 54). Interventions The artificial intelligence model EchoNet-Dynamic was tested on this data set and then retrained, tested, and further validated to improve LVEF calculation. The gold standard value was LVEF calculated by clinical experts. Measurements and Main Results In a random subset of subjects (n = 40) not analyzed prior to selection of the final model, EchoNet-Dynamic calculated LVEF with a MAE of 8.39%, R2 = 0.47 without, and MAE 4.47%, R2 = 0.87 with fine-tuning. Bland-Altman analysis suggested that the model slightly underestimates LVEF (bias = –2.42%). The 95% limits of agreement between actual and calculated values were –12.32% to 7.47%. Conclusions The fine-tuned model calculates LVEF in a range of pediatric patients within clinically acceptable error. Potential advantages include reducing operator error in LVEF calculation and supporting independent LVEF assessment by inexperienced users.