Examining EKGs in Foundational Models for Cardio-Oncology

In a conversation with CancerNetwork®, Arturo Loaiza-Bonilla, MD, MSEd, FACP, the systemwide chief of Hematology and Oncology at Saint Luke’s University, discussed the application of electrocardiograms (EKGs) in foundational models to help facilitate cardio-oncology processes.

First, he highlighted the importance of foundational models, which could include millions of tests that are generalizable to specific use cases. Regarding EKGs, he suggested that tests could be used to detect cardiovascular abnormalities and emerging adverse effects with certain agents, especially for patients with cardiovascular comorbidities.

Loaiza-Bonilla further explained that due to the ubiquity of EKGs, the FDA would likely afford clearances to their use in foundational models to risk-stratify patients for surgery or drug use. He concluded by stating that the integration of EKG models into electronic medical records (EMRs), in addition to other data-driven algorithms, would help “move the needle” in terms of delivering better care.

Transcript:

[These topics] are about foundational models. Foundational models mean very large data sets that include hundreds or hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions, of tests, all labeled and being built for [generalizability] to a specific use case. In this case, it could be the detection of arrhythmias or risk factors such as QT prolongation in patients taking [tyrosine kinase inhibitors] or [adverse] effects that are emerging, particularly for patients who may have predispositions such as cardiovascular disease.

The use of EKGs in foundational models is becoming a new trend. There are several companies doing so at this moment, trying to show the FDA the validity of those tests and those foundational models. What I anticipate is, because these EKGs are so easy to use now—they’re ubiquitous—we hopefully can help to do some clearances for either potential surgeries the patients may have, or if they are on treatment, predicting the risk of having complications from the drugs that we use. It’s a combination of the EKG models plus other algorithms that are more data-driven in terms of integration with the EMR, which are going to be helpful to really move the needle. More to follow on that; we are going to probably be hearing more in the next year or so.