Telemedicine and artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve heart failure (HF) patient monitoring, but the clinical safety and benefit is often debated (Card Fail Rev. 2020;6:e16. doi:10.15420/cfr.2019.17).
Researchers aimed to focus on the development of new technologies and their transition to daily clinical practice in a recent review article.
HF management has improved over the past decades, but approaches to lessen the disease severity and prevent worsening of symptoms are needed.
“A trend has recently emerged to extend the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to include more complex ways of data collection and processing, thereby holding the potential to achieve a greater understanding of [heart failure] pathophysiology and to enhance patient care” wrote the study authors.
Combining AI and machine learning techniques quickly aggregates data from electronic health records to create a summary of patient medical problems that require attention by a physician. The technology can also analyze patient family history and similar patients to evaluate diagnoses and treatment responses. Genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data analysis provide information for diagnosis and treatments.
Such detailed information provided by the new technologies will reduce unnecessary testing and reduce costs.
“AI can be used in the field of cardiology in several ways, including determining the most congruous type of imaging study for a specific set of symptoms. If applied properly, AI could reduce inappropriate imaging studies and help physicians adhere to practice guidelines and ever-changing appropriate use criteria,” explained the study authors.
The risk of dehumanization of medicine with the use of new technology is increased. Thus, telehealth should be used as a tool to improve care but should not replace face-to-face contact. Telehealth can expand health care services across long distances and reduce costs in such cases.
“Sharing the understanding of common goals that need to be achieved during the journey will allow physicians to provide a better, faster and more personalized treatment, while patients have the role of the ideal partner in forecasting their healthcare plan and wellness-enhancing processes,” concluded the study authors.—Lisa Kuhns
