AI-Driven Integration of Deep Learning With Lung Imaging, Functional Analysis, and Blood Gas Metrics for Perioperative Hypoxemia Prediction

This viewpoint article explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting perioperative hypoxemia through the integration of deep learning with multimodal clinical data, including lung imaging, pulmonary function tests, and arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis. Perioperative hypoxemia, defined as arterial oxygen partial pressure <60 mmHg or oxygen saturation <90%, poses significant risks of delayed recovery and organ dysfunction. Traditional diagnostic methods such as radiological imaging and ABG analysis often lack integrated predictive accuracy. AI frameworks, particularly convolutional neural networks and hybrid models like TD-CNNLSTM-LungNet, demonstrate exceptional performance in detecting pulmonary inflammation and stratifying hypoxemia risk, achieving up to 96.57% accuracy in pneumonia subtype differentiation and an area under the curve of 0.96 for postoperative hypoxemia prediction. Multimodal AI systems, such as DeepLung-Predict, unify computed tomography scans, pulmonary function tests, and ABG parameters to enhance predictive precision, surpassing conventional methods by 22%. However, challenges persist, including dataset heterogeneity, model interpretability, and clinical workflow integration. Future directions emphasize multicenter validation, explainable AI frameworks, and pragmatic trials to ensure equitable and reliable deployment. This AI-driven approach not only optimizes resource allocation but also mitigates financial burdens on health care systems by enabling early interventions and reducing intensive care unit admission risks.