Unlocking the potential of artificial intelligence in sports cardiology: does it have a role in evaluating athlete's heart?

Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2024 Mar 4;31(4):470-482. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwae008.

Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is evolving in different fields of cardiology and in particular in sports cardiology. Artificial intelligence offers significant opportunities to enhance risk assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring of athletes. This article explores the application of AI in various aspects of sports cardiology, including imaging techniques, genetic testing, and wearable devices. The use of machine learning and deep neural networks enables improved analysis and interpretation of complex datasets. However, ethical and legal dilemmas must be addressed, including informed consent, algorithmic fairness, data privacy, and intellectual property issues. The integration of AI technologies should complement the expertise of physicians, allowing for a balanced approach that optimizes patient care and outcomes. Ongoing research and collaborations are vital to harness the full potential of AI in sports cardiology and advance our management of cardiovascular health in athletes.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Athlete’s heart; Cardiovascular prevention; Deep learning; Machine learning; Sports cardiology.

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cardiology* / methods
  • Cardiomegaly, Exercise-Induced*
  • Humans
  • Neural Networks, Computer
  • Sports*