AI-generated interpretations of echocardiograms had comparable accuracy to preliminary interpretations by sonographers, and cardiologists spent about half the time finalizing each scan, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2026.
For the study, an AI tool, a sonographer and a cardiologist each prepared preliminary reports for the same 1,200 echocardiograms acquired during routine clinical care. Researchers assessed accuracy by how often cardiologists made substantial changes to the interpretations before finalizing them. The time spent completing each interpretation and consistency with historical interpretations in the medical record were also evaluated, according to a Nov. 9 association news release.
Researchers found that cardiologists made substantial changes to 50.6% of AI-generated interpretations, compared with 49.7% of sonographer- or cardiologist-prepared interpretations. Cardiologists spent an average of 4.6 minutes per echocardiogram reviewing and finalizing AI-generated preliminary interpretations, compared with 8.5 minutes without AI assistance, about 46% less time per scan. AI-assisted reports were also more consistent with historical reports in the medical record.
“Because of the large number of echocardiograms cardiologists read, even a few minutes saved per interpretation can add up to a significant amount of time over the course of a day,” co-senior author Keane Lee, MD, a cardiologist at Santa Clara, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Homestead Medical Center, said in the release. “For patients, this could potentially mean faster turnaround of results and more access to care, and for cardiologists, more time to spend with patients.”
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
