Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

The Use of Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Electrocardiograms in the Chest Pain Clinic to Risk Stratify Patients, Provide Rapid Reassurance and Enable a Low-Cost Clinical Pathway

This study is looking at how a new computer program, called Artificial Intelligence (AI), can help doctors understand heart scans (ECGs) better for people coming to a chest pain clinic. Currently, many people have extra tests, some with small risks, even if their chest pain isn't serious. This AI-powered ECG can predict the risk of heart problems more accurately than current methods. The study will compare using this AI tool with the usual care to see if it helps doctors avoid unnecessary tests, speeds up diagnosis, and saves healthcare costs, all while keeping patients safe and well-informed about their heart health.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Jamil Mayet

Enrolment target

4,000

Start

01 Aug 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jan 2029

Angina (Stable)Chest Pain Atypical Syndrome

What is this study about?

When people come to the hospital with chest pain, doctors need to work out if it's coming from the heart or not. If the pain isn't from the heart, current guidelines suggest that patients usually only need to see a doctor and have a simple heart tracing (called an ECG). However, sometimes people end up having more tests than they really need. Some of these tests involve procedures or radiation, which can have small risks.

Our team has developed a new computer program, using Artificial Intelligence (AI), that can look at a standard heart tracing (ECG) and reliably predict a person's risk of heart disease, including heart attacks. This AI-powered ECG has been shown to be better at predicting these risks than the methods we currently use. This test is quick, painless, and uses no radiation.

We want to see if using this new AI-ECG tool can help doctors make decisions more confidently. Half the patients in the study will have this AI-ECG alongside their usual care. The AI will help flag who is at low risk and who might need more checks. The other half will receive standard care. Our aim is to see if this new approach can help patients get answers faster, reduce the number of unnecessary tests they have, and still make sure they get the right care for their heart. All decisions will be checked by a heart specialist to ensure patient safety.

Key takeaways

This study is testing a new AI tool to help doctors assess chest pain.
It aims to speed up diagnosis and reduce unnecessary tests for non-heart-related chest pain.
The AI-ECG is a safe, painless heart scan interpreted by a computer program.
Your care will always be overseen by experienced heart doctors.
Participation is voluntary and will involve following your care for about one year.
It's hoped this new method could lead to faster reassurance for patients.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who come to one of six chest pain clinics in North West London. You would be considered if your chest pain is *not* thought to be typical of heart-related pain. Doctors will use a standard questionnaire to decide if your pain fits this description.

You would *not* be able to join the study if your chest pain is already known to be typical of heart problems. Also, you would not be suitable if you have certain existing heart conditions, such as known serious blockages in your heart arteries, a weak heart (heart failure), a specific electrical problem in your heart called 'Left Bundle Branch Block', or severe problems with your heart valves.

Finally, if you have advanced kidney failure needing dialysis or a transplant, or if your heart pacemaker is actively working during your ECG, you would also not be able to take part.

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 attending a chest pain clinic in North West London?
Has your doctor said your chest pain is likely *not* from your heart?
Do you *not* have a known serious heart condition like severe artery blockages or a very weak heart?
Are you *not* currently receiving dialysis or have a kidney transplant?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will continue with your usual care at the chest pain clinic. You will also have a simple, painless heart tracing called an ECG, which only takes a few minutes. For half of the patients, this ECG will be analysed by a special AI computer program, and the results will help your doctor decide on the next steps for your care. The other half will have their care managed as usual.

After your initial visit, we will keep track of your health for one year. This involves looking at things like how quickly you received a diagnosis, if you had any heart-related events, and if you were prescribed any heart medications. You will not need extra visits just for the study; we will use information from your regular medical records. The total duration of your involvement in the study itself will be about one year.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer the benefit of potentially receiving a quicker assessment and diagnosis for your chest pain, and possibly avoiding unnecessary investigations. The AI-ECG test itself is safe, painless, and involves no radiation, as it's a standard heart tracing. The main risk is that because this is a new approach, we don't yet know if it's better than standard care. However, all treatment plans will be checked by a heart specialist to ensure your safety. Remember, participation is completely voluntary, and you can withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (2)

Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is an AI-ECG?

It's a standard heart tracing (ECG) that is analysed by a smart computer program (Artificial Intelligence) to help predict your risk of heart problems.

Is the AI-ECG safe?

Yes, an ECG is a very common, safe, painless test that uses no radiation. The AI part just helps doctors interpret the results.

Will my doctor still be in charge of my care?

Absolutely. The AI is a tool to help your doctor. A heart specialist will review all treatment plans to ensure they are safe and appropriate for you.

What does 'non-cardiac chest pain' mean?

It means your chest pain is not thought to be coming from your heart. This study is for people with this type of pain.

Will I have to pay to be in the study?

No, all tests and care related to the study are part of your NHS treatment and will be provided at no cost to you.

How to find out more

Jamil Mayet, Professor, MBChB

j.mayet@imperial.ac.uk +44 020 7594 1006 Official trial record

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