Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Triple Cardiovascular Disease Detection With an Artificial Intelligence-enabled Stethoscope

This study, called TRICORDER, is looking at a new type of stethoscope that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help family doctors (GPs) detect serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, heart valve problems, and an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, more quickly. Currently, many people only find out they have heart failure when they are very unwell and need to go to hospital. The AI stethoscope aims to change this by making it easier for GPs to check for these issues during routine appointments. Researchers will provide this AI stethoscope to some GP practices and compare their results with others that continue with usual care, to see if it leads to earlier diagnoses and improves patient outcomes, as well as being cost-effective for the NHS.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

200

Start

25 Oct 2023

Estimated completion

23 Dec 2025

Heart Failure Heart Valve Diseases Atrial Fibrillation Heart Murmurs Congestive Heart Failure Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

What is this study about?

Imagine a special new stethoscope that helps your doctor listen to your heart and notice things that might mean you have a heart condition, even before you feel very sick. That's what this study, called TRICORDER, is all about. It's looking at an 'AI-stethoscope' – which is a regular stethoscope but with clever computer software (artificial intelligence) built in. This AI can analyse your heart sounds and electrical activity in just 15 seconds to look for signs of problems like heart failure or heart valve issues.

Heart failure means your heart isn't pumping blood as well as it should. It's becoming more common, and finding it early can make a big difference to how well you live and how long you live. At the moment, many people only find out they have heart failure when they are very unwell and need to go to hospital in an emergency. This study hopes to change that by giving GPs an easy and quick tool to check for these conditions during your regular visits, which could mean you get help much sooner.

The main goal of the study is to see if using this AI-stethoscope in GP clinics across North West London and North Wales helps doctors find heart failure more often and earlier. They also want to see if it reduces the number of people who have to go to hospital urgently because of undiagnosed heart problems, and if it saves the NHS money. Half of the participating GP practices will get the AI-stethoscopes to use, and the other half will continue with their usual checks, so researchers can compare the results and see if the new technology really makes a difference for patients and the healthcare system.

Key takeaways

New AI-stethoscope aims to detect heart problems earlier.
Could help find conditions like heart failure, valve diseases, and irregular heartbeats.
The test is quick, taking only about 15 seconds during a check-up.
Study compares practices using the AI-stethoscope with those using standard care.
Hopes to reduce emergency hospital visits and improve patient care.
The study involves GP practices in North West London and North Wales.

Who may be eligible?

This study is for GP practices, not individual patients. However, if your doctor's surgery is taking part, it means they are open to trying new ways to help patients.

To be included in the study, a GP practice needs to care for adult patients and be able to arrange blood tests called 'natriuretic peptide' tests, which can help check for heart conditions. They also need to be located in specific areas of North West London or North Wales.

GP practices won't be able to take part if they have poor WiFi or mobile signal in their consulting rooms, as the AI-stethoscope needs good connectivity to work. They also need to be able to offer face-to-face appointments, as this is how the stethoscope would be used.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Does your GP surgery care for adults?
Can your GP surgery order specific blood tests for heart conditions?
Is your GP surgery located in North West London or North Wales?
Does your GP surgery have good internet/mobile signal in their consulting rooms?
Does your GP surgery offer face-to-face appointments?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study involves GP practices as a whole, rather than asking individual patients to sign up directly. If your GP practice is chosen to use the AI-stethoscope, your doctor might use it as part of your routine check-up when they usually listen to your heart. This is a very quick process, taking only about 15 seconds, and would feel just like a normal stethoscope examination.

There are no extra visits or special medications for you as a patient if your GP practice is part of the study. The researchers will be collecting information from medical records to compare how well heart conditions are found and managed in practices using the AI stethoscope versus those using standard care. The total duration of the study for the GP practices will be measured by comparing outcomes over time.

Potential risks and benefits

If your GP practice is using the AI-stethoscope, a potential benefit for you could be that serious heart conditions like heart failure might be detected earlier, leading to faster treatment and potentially better health outcomes. For the NHS, earlier detection could lead to fewer emergency hospital stays and lower long-term costs. As a patient, using the AI-stethoscope during a check-up carries very low risk, similar to a regular stethoscope examination. You would be fully within your rights to decline the use of the AI-stethoscope if you prefer, and this would not affect your medical care otherwise.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

NHS North West London Integrated Care System
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is an AI-stethoscope?

It's like a regular stethoscope, but it uses smart computer technology (artificial intelligence) to help your doctor listen to your heart and quickly spot signs of heart problems.

What heart problems can it detect?

It's designed to help doctors find conditions like heart failure, heart valve problems, and an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation.

How long does it take for the AI-stethoscope to work?

It only takes about 15 seconds to listen and analyse your heart sounds.

Will I be part of a study if my GP uses this?

The study involves GP practices, not individual patients signing up. If your GP uses it, it means your practice is participating in research to improve healthcare.

Will this replace my doctor's judgment?

No, the AI-stethoscope is a tool to assist your doctor, providing extra information. Your doctor will still make all the medical decisions based on all your health information.