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Review
. 2025 Mar;30(2):407-415.
doi: 10.1007/s10741-024-10472-0. Epub 2024 Dec 19.

Clinical and research applications of natural language processing for heart failure

Michael P Girouard  1 , Alex J Chang  2 , Yilin Liang  2 , Steven A Hamilton  1 , Ankeet S Bhatt  1   3 , Jana Svetlichnaya  1 , Jesse K Fitzpatrick  1 , Evan C B Carey  4 , Harshith R Avula  5 , Sirtaz Adatya  6 , Keane K Lee  6 , Matthew D Solomon  1   7 , Rishi V Parikh  3 , Alan S Go  3   8   9 , Andrew P Ambrosy  10   11
Affiliations
Review

Clinical and research applications of natural language processing for heart failure

Michael P Girouard et al. Heart Fail Rev. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Natural language processing (NLP) is a burgeoning field of machine learning/artificial intelligence that focuses on the computational processing of human language. Researchers and clinicians are using NLP methods to advance the field of medicine in general and in heart failure (HF), in particular, by processing vast amounts of previously untapped semi-structured and unstructured textual data in electronic health records. NLP has several applications to clinical research, including dramatically improving processes for cohort assembly, disease phenotyping, and outcome ascertainment, among others. NLP also has the potential to improve direct clinical care through early detection, accurate diagnosis, and evidence-based management of patients with HF. In this state-of-the-art review, we present a general overview of NLP methods and review clinical and research applications in the field of HF. We also propose several potential future directions of this emerging and rapidly evolving technological breakthrough.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Heart failure; Machine learning; Natural language processing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: Dr. Go has received research support from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Dr. Ambrosy has received relevant research support through grants to his institution from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (K23HL150159), the American Heart Association (2nd Century Early Faculty Independence Award), The Permanente Medical Group, Northern California Community Benefits Programs, Garfield Memorial Fund, Abbott Laboratories, Amarin Pharma, Inc., Bayer, Cordio Medical, Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., Merck, and Novartis. Dr. Andrew P. Ambrosy, Dr. Jana Svetlichnaya, and Rishi V. Parikh are Editorial Board members of Heart Failure Reviews. All other authors report no relevant disclosures.

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