3DECG-Net: ECG fusion network for multi-label cardiac arrhythmia detection

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases represent the leading global cause of death, typically diagnosed and addressed through electrocardiograms (ECG), which record the heart's electrical activity. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in ECG recordings, driven by the widespread use of wearable devices. However, the limited availability of medical experts to analyze these recordings underscores the necessity for automated ECG analysis using computer-aided methods. In this study, we introduced 3DECG-Net, a deep learning model designed to detect and classify seven distinct heart states through the analysis of data fusion from 12-lead ECG in a multi-label framework. Our model leverages a residual architecture with a multi-head attention mechanism, undergoing training within a five-fold cross-validation scheme. By transforming 12-lead ECG signals into 3D data with the help of Recurrent Plot technique, 3DECG-Net achieves a noteworthy micro F1-score of 80.3 %, surpassing the performance of other state-of-the-art deep learning models developed for this specific task. Also, we present an ECG preprocessing framework to generate compact, high-quality ECG signals for potential application in future studies within this domain. We conduct an explainable AI experiment using Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME) to elucidate the significance of each lead in accurately diagnosing specific arrhythmias, ensuring the logical processing of ECG data by 3DECG-Net. The findings of this study suggest that the proposed model is trustworthy and has the potential to be used as an effective diagnostic toolset for identifying heart arrhythmias. Its effectiveness can improve the diagnostic process, facilitate early treatment, and enhance overall efficiency in medical settings.

Keywords: 12-Lead electrocardiogram; Attention mechanism; Deep learning; Heart arrhythmia; SE-Residual block.