AI-based approach for heart failure readmission prediction using SCG, ECG, and GSR signals

<i>Objective.</i>Heart failure (HF) is considered a global pandemic because of increasing prevalence, high mortality rate, frequent hospitalization, and associated economic burden. This study explores a noninvasive method that may help in managing HF patients by predicting HF readmission.<i>Methods.</i>Seismocardiogram (SCG) signal is the low-frequency chest vibration produced by the mechanical activity of the heart. SCG signal was acquired from 101 patients with HF, including those readmitted to the hospital during the study period. SCG signals were segmented into heartbeats and clustered based on respiration phases. Features were extracted from each cluster. Several conventional machine learning (ML) models were developed using selected SCG and heart rate variability features. Furthermore, SCG signals were transformed into images using a time-frequency distribution method. Images were used to train a deep learning model. The models were able to predict the readmission status of HF patients.<i>Results.</i>ML algorithms achieved higher accuracy than the deep learning model in classifying the readmitted and non-readmitted HF patients. K-nearest neighbor achieved the highest classification accuracy (89.4% accuracy, 87.8% sensitivity, 90.1% specificity, 78.2% precision, and 82.7%<i>F</i>1-score). A detailed discussion of the extracted features was provided, correlating them with HF conditions.<i>Conclusions</i>. The study results suggest that SCG signals may be useful for readmission prediction of HF patients.