Andrei Iacob
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Andrei Iacob has a total of 5 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Abhinav Sharma
Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 3000041 Timisoara, Romania
1 shared publication - Anca-Raluca Dinu
Department XVI, Medical Recovery, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
1 shared publication - Mihai Sorin Iacob
Centre for Preventive Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babes Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
1 shared publication - Nilima Rajpal Kundnani
Department VI—Cardiology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
1 shared publication - Simona Ruxanda Dragan
Department of Cardiology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
- 29 October 2025
- Published by MDPI AG in Healthcare
- Vol. 13 (21) , 2726
Diagnostic Accuracy of AI-Assisted Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FOCUS) in Primary Care
Background: Focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) can augment the cardiac exam in primary care but is operator-dependent. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of artificial intelligence-assisted FOCUS (AI-FOCUS) performed by family physicians against cardiologist-performed echocardiography. Methods: This research is a prospective cross-sectional study in primary care; family physicians performed conventional FOCUS and AI-FOCUS, with cardiologist-performed echocardiography within 24 h as the reference standard. The primary outcomes were accuracy, sensitivity/specificity, and agreement (κ). Results: AI-FOCUS achieved 94.33% accuracy (95% CI 93.15–95.35), 89.91% sensitivity, and 96.49% specificity, with excellent agreement compared to cardiologists (κ = 0.88). Among the confirmed abnormalities (32.9% of participants), valvular disease was most frequent (42%), followed by reduced LVEF < 50% (28%) and pericardial effusion (12%). In multivariable analysis, AI-assisted LVEF < 50% (OR = 6.05, p < 0.0001) and valvular abnormalities (OR = 4.05, p < 0.0001) were strong predictors of cardiac pathology. Conclusions: AI-FOCUS performed by trained family physicians showed high diagnostic accuracy and excellent agreement with blinded cardiologist-performed echocardiography for detecting LVEF < 50%, screening-level valvular abnormalities, and pericardial effusion, supporting its use for early detection and triage in primary care. Its ease of use and reproducibility suggest value in settings with limited access to cardiology.
- 29 October 2025
- Published by MDPI AG in Healthcare
- Vol. 13 (21) , 2726
Open AccessDiagnostic Accuracy of AI-Assisted Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FOCUS) in Primary Care
Background: Focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) can augment the cardiac exam in primary care but is operator-dependent. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of artificial intelligence-assisted FOCUS (AI-FOCUS) performed by family physicians against cardiologist-performed echocardiography. Methods: This research is a prospective cross-sectional study in primary care; family physicians performed conventional FOCUS and AI-FOCUS, with cardiologist-performed echocardiography within 24 h as the reference standard. The primary outcomes were accuracy, sensitivity/specificity, and agreement (κ). Results: AI-FOCUS achieved 94.33% accuracy (95% CI 93.15–95.35), 89.91% sensitivity, and 96.49% specificity, with excellent agreement compared to cardiologists (κ = 0.88). Among the confirmed abnormalities (32.9% of participants), valvular disease was most frequent (42%), followed by reduced LVEF < 50% (28%) and pericardial effusion (12%). In multivariable analysis, AI-assisted LVEF < 50% (OR = 6.05, p < 0.0001) and valvular abnormalities (OR = 4.05, p < 0.0001) were strong predictors of cardiac pathology. Conclusions: AI-FOCUS performed by trained family physicians showed high diagnostic accuracy and excellent agreement with blinded cardiologist-performed echocardiography for detecting LVEF < 50%, screening-level valvular abnormalities, and pericardial effusion, supporting its use for early detection and triage in primary care. Its ease of use and reproducibility suggest value in settings with limited access to cardiology.