ADVANCES IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of global mortality, making early and accurate diagnosis essential. In this context, Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a transformative technology in cardiology. The objective of this study was to conduct an integrative literature review on the advances, applications, and challenges of AI in the diagnosis of CVD. The method consisted of an integrative review with articles published between 2017 and 2023, selected from the databases Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), PubMed, Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Xplore (IEEE Xplore), and Scopus. The results demonstrate the high capability of AI in interpreting electrocardiograms (ECGs) and medical images, predicting adverse events, and providing personalized risk stratification. However, significant challenges were identified, such as the need for high-quality data, algorithmic biases, ethical dilemmas, and the absence of robust regulation. It is concluded that, although the potential of AI is immense, its safe and effective integration into clinical practice depends on an ethical, regulated approach focused on strengthening human clinical decision-making, rather than replacing it.