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Published on: April 11, 2025
Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Electrocardiography Analysis for Diagnosing Chagas Disease
Isabella Moreira Gonzalez Fonseca1,2, Maria Carmo Pereira Nunes1,2, Craig Sable3
1Serviço de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardíaca, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brasil.
Arquivos Brasileiros De Cardiologia
|July 22, 2026
Summary
Artificial intelligence (AI) analysis of electrocardiograms (ECGs) shows high sensitivity for detecting Chagas disease. This AI-ECG tool, combined with clinical data, offers a promising low-cost screening method for resource-limited endemic areas.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
Background:
- Chagas disease is a major cause of cardiomyopathy in Latin America, affecting millions.
- Early diagnosis of Chagas disease is difficult in endemic regions.
- AI-ECG analysis presents a potential low-cost screening strategy for resource-limited settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess an AI-ECG algorithm's performance for Chagas disease detection.
- To evaluate the algorithm's efficacy when combined with clinical data.
- To implement community-based screening in a highly endemic area of Brazil.
Main Methods:
- 1,115 adults in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil, underwent 12-lead ECG acquisition.
- A trained AI model analyzed ECGs, incorporating residence in infested areas, housing conditions, and family history.
- AI-positive individuals were classified as suspected cases and underwent serological testing.
Main Results:
- The AI algorithm identified 10.9% of individuals as positive, estimating a 7.8% Chagas disease prevalence.
- Of 112 tested, 13 were serologically positive, all within the AI-positive group.
- The AI-ECG demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 40% specificity, with a 100% negative predictive value.
Conclusions:
- An AI-ECG algorithm combined with clinical variables shows high sensitivity for Chagas disease detection.
- This approach may serve as a valuable triage tool in endemic, resource-constrained settings.
- AI-ECG offers a scalable solution for Chagas disease screening.
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