The Echo-CAT study V1.0

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Echocardiographic assessment of cardiotoxicity in adult cancer patients receiving trastuzumab and other HER2-targeted cancer therapies: comparison of manual and with automated analyses

  • IRAS ID

    294429

  • Contact name

    Daniel Augustine

  • Contact email

    daniel.augustine@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Ultromics Ltd

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 9 months, 2 days

  • Research summary

    Some treatments for cancer can damage the heart resulting in the heart not being able to pump blood as effectively around the body. In order to monitor this, patients who are receiving these treatments undergo regular heart ultrasound scans (echocardiograms). An echocardiogram is a test which uses sound waves to build a moving picture of your heart, similar to the ultrasound women have when they are pregnant.

    Echocardiograms are usually analysed by trained operators drawing contours of the images to produce clinical measurements (a process called manual contouring). They then use this information to make informed decisions about whether to continue, adjust or discontinue the treatment. This method can introduce variability and therefore reduce the ability for a confident diagnosis. In this study we would like to evaluate if the use of artificial intelligence (AI) could automate this analysis and so improve detection of heart damage and allow a more confident diagnosis. AI uses machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind. In this study we will be using a software called EchoGo which was designed by Ultromics Ltd.
    In this study, we aim to use echocardiograms and treatment data from clinical records to compare the results of manual and automated contouring in 300 adults who have received previous cancer treatment at Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust. No additional hospital visits will be required by the participant.

  • REC name

    South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/SW/0025

  • Date of REC Opinion

    31 Mar 2022

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion