⚡ Quick Summary
This study evaluated the prognostic value of artificial intelligence ECG-derived age in predicting outcomes for isolated CABG patients. The findings indicate that a higher age gap, defined as the difference between AI ECG-derived age and chronological age, is associated with increased comorbidities and worse long-term survival outcomes.
🔍 Key Details
- 📊 Dataset: 13,808 isolated CABG patients
- 🧩 Features used: Preoperative ECGs within 30 days of surgery
- ⚙️ Technology: Convolutional neural networks for AI ECG-derived age calculation
- 🏆 Key metrics: Median chronological age 68 years, mean age gap -1±8 years
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 📈 AI ECG-derived age can provide insights into a patient’s physiological age.
- 💡 A positive age gap (AI ECG-derived age older than chronological age) was found in 44% of patients.
- ⚠️ Patients with an age gap >5 years had higher risks of renal failure and congestive heart failure.
- 🩺 Postoperative complications included higher rates of atrial fibrillation and prolonged ventilation.
- 📉 Long-term survival was significantly lower in patients with an age gap >5 years (Hazard Ratio=1.4).
- 🔍 Multivariable regression models were used to analyze associations with outcomes.
- 🌟 This study highlights the potential of AI in enhancing risk stratification for CABG patients.
📚 Background
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a common surgical procedure for patients with severe coronary artery disease. However, predicting outcomes post-surgery remains a challenge. Traditional methods often rely on chronological age and clinical factors, which may not fully capture a patient’s physiological status. The advent of artificial intelligence, particularly in analyzing ECG data, offers a promising avenue for improving risk stratification and patient management.
🗒️ Study
Conducted with a substantial cohort of 13,808 isolated CABG patients, this study aimed to assess the prognostic value of AI ECG-derived age. Researchers utilized preoperative ECGs collected within 30 days of surgery to calculate the AI ECG-derived age using advanced convolutional neural networks. The age gap was then analyzed in relation to various baseline comorbidities, operative outcomes, and long-term survival.
📈 Results
The study revealed that the median chronological age of patients was 68 years, while the AI ECG-derived age was slightly lower at 67 years. Notably, the mean age gap was -1±8 years, with 44% of patients exhibiting an age gap where the AI ECG-derived age was older than their chronological age. Patients with an age gap greater than 5 years faced significantly higher risks of postoperative complications and had a 1.4 times higher risk of long-term mortality.
🌍 Impact and Implications
The implications of this study are profound. By identifying patients with a higher physiological age through AI ECG analysis, healthcare providers can better stratify risk and tailor postoperative care. This could lead to improved outcomes and resource allocation in surgical settings. The integration of AI in clinical practice not only enhances our understanding of patient health but also paves the way for personalized medicine approaches in cardiovascular care.
🔮 Conclusion
This research underscores the significant role of artificial intelligence in enhancing risk stratification for CABG patients. The ability to assess physiological age through AI ECG-derived metrics offers a new dimension in predicting surgical outcomes and long-term survival. As we continue to explore the intersection of technology and healthcare, the potential for improved patient care becomes increasingly evident. Further studies are encouraged to validate these findings and expand the application of AI in clinical settings.
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Risk Stratification of CABG Patients Using an Artificial Intelligence ECG-Derived Age.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic value of artificial intelligence electrocardiogram-derived (AI ECG) age in predicting outcomes following isolated CABG.
METHODS: We used preoperative ECGs (within 30 days from surgery) from 13,808 isolated CABG patients to calculate AI ECG-derived age using convolutional neural networks. The age gap was calculated as AI ECG-derived age minus chronological age. The associations of age gap with baseline comorbidities, operative outcomes, and long-term survival were analyzed using multivariable regression models.
RESULTS: Median chronological age was 68 (60-74) years, and the AI ECG-derived age was 67 (61-72) years. Mean age gap was -1±8 year (range -39 to +35 years). In 44% of patients, the AI ECG-derived age was older than the chronological age (positive age gap of 6(±5) years), and in 21.4% this gap was greater than 5 years. Patients with age gap>5 years were more likely to have renal failure, congestive heart failure, history of myocardial infarction, higher BMI, and lower ejection fraction. Postoperatively, they were at higher risk of atrial fibrillation (OR=1.15(95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.05-1.30), p=0.042), prolonged ventilation (OR=1.2 (95% CI 1.1-1.5), p=0.047), blood transfusion (OR=1.15(95% CI 1.1-1.30), p=0.017), postoperative creatinine(B-coefficient=+0.15 units, p<0.001), and hospital stay (B-coefficient=+0.7 days, p=0.001). Long-term survival was lower in patients with age gap>5 years compared to those with gap≤5 (Hazard Ratio=1.4(95% CI 1.2-1.5), p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: Higher age gap identifies a cohort of CABG patients with increased comorbidities and advanced physiological age. Advanced physiological age identified by AI ECG is independently associated with worse operative outcomes and long-term mortality.
Author: [‘Sawma T’, ‘Arghami A’, ‘Schaff HV’, ‘Aslahishahri M’, ‘Mangold KE’, ‘Dearani JA’, ‘Stulak JM’, ‘Bagameri G’, ‘Villavicencio MA’, ‘Greason KL’, ‘Lopez-Jimenez F’, ‘Friedman P’, ‘Attia Z’, ‘Crestanello JA’]
Journal: J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
Citation: Sawma T, et al. Risk Stratification of CABG Patients Using an Artificial Intelligence ECG-Derived Age. Risk Stratification of CABG Patients Using an Artificial Intelligence ECG-Derived Age. 2025; (unknown volume):(unknown pages). doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2025.06.037