STEREO
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Utilising AI analysis of Sounds To prEdict heaRt failurE decOmpensation (STEREO)
IRAS ID
334349
Contact name
Joseph Cheriyan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Heart failure impacts more than 2% of people in the UK and leads to about 5% of emergency hospital visits. Patients might have slowly worsening symptoms or suddenly face acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), marked by intense difficulty in breathing due to fast-developing lung congestion. This is a serious emergency requiring in-hospital treatment and monitoring. Once stable, patients usually have a phase where symptoms remain constant. But as time goes on, those with heart failure often face more frequent and prolonged episodes of ADHF.
Fluid build-up (pulmonary congestion) in the lungs is a key issue in heart failure, and catching it early helps avoid unexpected hospital stays. Spotting these early signs outside the hospital can be tough, as symptoms aren't always clear. We're working on a new, non-invasive way to identify these early signs using AI to analyse subtle changes in a patient's voice, cough, and breathing sounds. This tool will act as an early warning for patients and their heart care teams, allowing quicker treatment. This could make heart failure episodes less severe and reduce the need for hospital visits.
Our research has two parts. First, we'll conduct a small pilot trial with up to 50 patients. The findings will guide us in organising a larger study involving up to 150 patients. From this larger study, we'll develop the final version of our AI algorithm. The results from the Part A and Part B of our study will guide us in planning a future clinical trial. This trial will confirm if the AI algorithm can be effectively used as a medical tool for heart failure care within the NHS. We'll get the necessary ethical approval before starting this trial.".
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EM/0049
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion