AuthorsS. Hicks, J. L. Isaksen, V. Thambawita, J. Ghouse, G. Ahlberg, A. Linneberg, N. Grarup, I. Strümke, C. Ellervik, M. S. Olesen et al.
TitleExplaining deep neural networks for knowledge discovery in electrocardiogram analysis
AfilliationMachine Learning
Project(s)Department of Holistic Systems
StatusPublished
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
JournalScientific Reports
Volume11
Pagination10949
Date Published05/2021
PublisherSpringer Nature
Abstract

Deep learning-based tools may annotate and interpret medical data more quickly, consistently, and accurately than medical doctors. However, as medical doctors are ultimately responsible for clinical decision-making, any deep learning-based prediction should be accompanied by an explanation that a human can understand. We present an approach called electrocardiogram gradient class activation map (ECGradCAM), which is used to generate attention maps and explain the reasoning behind deep learning-based decision-making in ECG analysis. Attention maps may be used in the clinic to aid diagnosis, discover new medical knowledge, and identify novel features and characteristics of medical tests. In this paper, we showcase how ECGradCAM attention maps can unmask how a novel deep learning model measures both amplitudes and intervals in 12-lead electrocardiograms, and we show an example of how attention maps may be used to develop novel ECG features.

URLhttp://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-90285-5h
DOI10.1038/s41598-021-90285-5
Citation Key27866

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