Artificial intelligence-based ECG analysis: current status and future perspectives–Part 1: Basic principles

Abstract

Even though electrocardiography is a diagnostic procedure that is now more than 100 years old, medicine cannot do without it. On the contrary, interest in the procedure and its clinical significance is even increasing again. Reports on the evaluation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI) are also responsible for this. Using machine learning and in particular deep learning, both AI subfields, completely new perspectives of ECG evaluation and interpretation arise. The weaknesses inherent in classical computer-assisted ECG evaluation appear to be overcome. This two-part overview deals with AI-based ECG analysis. Part 1 introduces basic aspects of the procedure. Part 2, which is published separately, is devoted to the current state of research and discusses the available studies. In addition, possible scenarios of future application of AI in ECG analysis are discussed.