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Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Associated Cardiovascular Disease Detection Using Artificial Intelligence

Doctors are testing a smart stethoscope that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help find heart and lung conditions, like pulmonary hypertension, more easily. This condition affects the blood vessels in the lungs and can be serious. At the moment, AI tools used to detect these conditions often rely on old information, which might not be completely accurate for everyone. This study will collect new heart sound and electrical signals from patients having routine heart scans in London. By comparing the AI stethoscope's findings with the standard heart scan results, researchers want to make sure the AI is accurate and reliable. The goal is to improve how we find and treat these important heart and lung conditions.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

1,000

Start

01 Oct 2025

Estimated completion

01 Aug 2027

Pulmonary Hypertension Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)

What is this study about?

Heart and blood vessel problems, including a condition called pulmonary hypertension (PH), are a major health concern affecting many people. PH specifically affects the blood vessels in your lungs, making it harder for your heart to pump blood and can be quite serious. Finding these conditions early is really important for getting the right treatment.

Researchers are very interested in using artificial intelligence (AI) to help spot these problems sooner. AI can look at complex information, like the sounds your heart makes or the electrical signals it produces, and potentially identify signs of illness. Imagine a special stethoscope that not only lets doctors listen to your heart but also uses AI to help analyze those sounds and signals for signs of trouble.

Currently, many AI tools for this purpose have been developed using older information. To make sure these AI tools work well and are accurate for everyone, doctors need to test them with new, real-world information. This study aims to do just that: collect fresh, high-quality information from patients through a special AI stethoscope and compare it to traditional heart scans. This will help make sure the AI is reliable and could eventually be used widely to help detect conditions like pulmonary hypertension.

Key takeaways

The study uses an 'AI stethoscope' to detect heart and lung conditions.
It aims to improve early detection of conditions like pulmonary hypertension.
Participation involves a quick, non-invasive recording during your routine heart scan.
No new treatments are being tested, only detection methods.
Your direct care won't change as a result of participating.
Your involvement helps improve future diagnosis for others.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be at least 18 years old. You also need to be able to understand what the study involves and agree to take part.

Crucially, you must already be scheduled to have a routine echocardiogram (a type of heart scan) at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. If you're not having a heart scan there, you wouldn't be able to join.

There are also a few reasons you might not be able to take part. For example, if you have any open wounds or skin conditions on your chest that would make it difficult or uncomfortable to use a stethoscope, then you wouldn't be eligible.

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.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you scheduled for a heart scan (echocardiogram) at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust?
Can you understand what the study is about and give your agreement to take part?
Do you have any skin problems or wounds on your chest that would prevent using a stethoscope?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, your involvement will be quite straightforward. During your routine echocardiogram appointment at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, a researcher will use a special 'smart' stethoscope on your chest. This stethoscope will quietly record some heart sounds and electrical signals for a short time, just like a regular stethoscope but with added technology.

This extra step will not involve any additional visits or tests. The study will also collect some basic health information like your age and medical history. Researchers will then look at your medical records again after 24 months (two years) to see how your health has been, but you won't need to do anything extra at that point. The entire process of recording with the smart stethoscope is very quick, usually just a few minutes, and won't change your existing appointment time much.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study won't directly improve your health, as the AI results won't be used for your immediate care. However, the information gathered could greatly help future patients by making AI better at finding serious heart and lung conditions. There are very few risks; the special stethoscope is non-invasive and works just like a regular one, but if you feel uncomfortable at any point, you are free to withdraw from the study without giving a reason, and your medical care will not be affected.

Locations (1)

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

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is a serious condition where the blood pressure in the arteries going from your heart to your lungs is too high. This makes your heart work harder.

What is an AI stethoscope?

It's a special stethoscope that uses artificial intelligence to help analyze the sounds and electrical signals from your heart, potentially spotting signs of illness that might be missed.

Will I get results from the AI stethoscope?

The results from the AI stethoscope recordings won't be given to you or used for your immediate care. The study is focused on testing and improving the AI technology itself.

How long will my data be used?

Researchers will look at your general health information again after two years, but you won't need to do anything further after your initial recording session.

Is this a new type of treatment?

No, this is not a new treatment. This study is about developing and testing new tools (AI technology) to help detect conditions better in the future, not about providing therapies.

How to find out more

Saloni Nakhare, MBChB, MSc

s.nakhare@imperial.ac.uk Email Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.