Automated ultrasound image analysis to assess heart function
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Measuring differences in heart function and indices of fluid in the body, using a simple ultrasound protocol
IRAS ID
179566
Contact name
Darrel Francis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Doctors and nurses often need to assess how well the heart is working and whether the body has too much, too little, or just the amount of fluid in the circulation. \n\nCardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) can be used to measure these features, but the full echocardiographic protocol is complex and needs many years of training to be able to perform. However, the full protocol assesses very many more things than the degree of heart function and the amount of fluid. Is it possible that a limited protocol could make these two assessments and be able to be performed by a wide variety of doctors and nurses who have not undergone specialist echocardiographic training?\n\nIn this study, we are asking general doctors and nurses without specialist echocardiographic training to perform a relatively simple protocol using a standard machine which gives automatic readings. We are testing whether these readings allow these general doctors and nurses to detect differences between patients in the strength of heart function and detect changes over time in the level of fluid in a patient’s circulation.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0829
Date of REC Opinion
25 May 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion