Usefulness of an artificial neural network for a beginner to achieve similar interpretations to an expert when examining myocardial perfusion images

Abstract

Background: This study examined whether using an artificial neural network (ANN) helps beginners in diagnostic cardiac imaging to achieve similar results to experts when interpreting stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI).Methods: 138 patients underwent stress MPI with Tc-labeled agents. An expert and a beginner interpreted stress/rest MPI with or without the ANN and the results were compared. The myocardium was divided into 5 regions (the apex; septum; anterior; lateral, and inferior regions), and the degree of myocardial blood flow was evaluated from 0 to 4, and SSS, SRS, and SDS were calculated. The ANN effect, defined as the difference in each of these scores between with and without the ANN, was calculated to investigate the influence of ANN on the interpreters' performance. Results: The ANN effect was smaller for the expert than for the beginner. Conclusions: When interpreting MPI, beginners may achieve similar results to experts by using an ANN. Thus, interpreting MPI with ANN may be useful for beginners.