Assessing cardiovascular risks from a mid-thigh CT image: a tree-based machine learning approach using radiodensitometric distributions

Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 18;10(1):2863. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59873-9.

Abstract

The nonlinear trimodal regression analysis (NTRA) method based on radiodensitometric CT distributions was recently developed and assessed for the quantification of lower extremity function and nutritional parameters in aging subjects. However, the use of the NTRA method for building predictive models of cardiovascular health was not explored; in this regard, the present study reports the use of NTRA parameters for classifying elderly subjects with coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and chronic heart failure (CHF) using multivariate logistic regression and three tree-based machine learning (ML) algorithms. Results from each model were assembled as a typology of four classification metrics: total classification score, classification by tissue type, tissue-based feature importance, and classification by age. The predictive utility of this method was modelled using CHF incidence data. ML models employing the random forests algorithm yielded the highest classification performance for all analyses, and overall classification scores for all three conditions were excellent: CHD (AUCROC: 0.936); CVD (AUCROC: 0.914); CHF (AUCROC: 0.994). Longitudinal assessment for modelling the prediction of CHF incidence was likewise robust (AUCROC: 0.993). The present work introduces a substantial step forward in the construction of non-invasive, standardizable tools for associating adipose, loose connective, and lean tissue changes with cardiovascular health outcomes in elderly individuals.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Algorithms
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cardiovascular System / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cardiovascular System / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart / physiopathology
  • Heart Failure / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Machine Learning
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed