A novel ultrasound method for heart failure detection
Heart failure happens when the heart does not pump blood around the body as well as it should. Every heartbeat sends a pressure wave travelling down your arteries, and this wave changes shape if your heart is struggling. Currently, measuring these waves requires complex or invasive hospital equipment. In this British Heart Foundation-funded study, researchers at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust are testing a simple, non-invasive ultrasound method. The scan checks arteries at the neck, upper arm, and wrist while you rest comfortably. The study involves one 30-minute session with an ultrasound, a standard heart tracing (ECG), and blood pressure checks. Researchers want to see whether this new tool can accurately detect heart failure. Both people with known heart problems and healthy volunteers are taking part to help develop a faster, cheaper test for NHS clinics.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When your heart beats, it pushes blood into your blood vessels, creating a tiny ripple or wave that travels along your arteries. If your heart muscle is weakened or stiff, the way this wave moves through your body changes. Doctors know these waves carry vital clues about how well the heart is working, but measuring them usually requires specialist, expensive, or uncomfortable equipment.
To solve this, researchers have designed a new technique using everyday ultrasound machines. Ultrasound uses harmless sound waves to look inside the body, much like the scans used during pregnancy. This new method has already shown promising results in early laboratory tests. Now, researchers want to see if it works just as well in human patients.
Diagnosing heart failure can currently take weeks of specialist appointments and hospital scans. If this new ultrasound method proves successful, regular clinic staff could use standard ultrasound machines to check for heart failure quickly and simply. This could help doctors catch heart conditions earlier and start life-saving treatments much sooner.
Key takeaways
- Tests a simple, quick ultrasound technique to spot signs of heart failure.
- Involves just one 30-minute session lying comfortably on an examination bed.
- Non-invasive tests include gentle ultrasound scans, a blood pressure check, and an ECG.
- No new medicines, injections, or changes to your current treatment are involved.
- Funded by the British Heart Foundation and hosted by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
Who may be eligible?
This study is open to adults who are already having a routine heart ultrasound scan (echocardiogram) at the hospital. Researchers are looking for people diagnosed with heart failure, as well as individuals whose heart muscle shows signs of stiffness even if they do not yet feel unwell.
The study also welcomes healthy adult volunteers, such as hospital staff members, to act as a comparison group.
To make sure the results are accurate, healthy volunteers cannot take part if they have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, irregular heartbeats, or if they take regular heart medicines. Anyone unable to give informed consent is also unable to join.
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.
- I am an adult aged 18 or over.
- I am having a standard hospital heart scan (echocardiogram), OR I am a healthy volunteer.
- I have been told I have heart failure or a stiff heart muscle (if joining the patient group).
- I do not have high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart conditions (if joining as a healthy volunteer).
- I am able to understand the study details and give informed consent.
What does participation involve?
Taking part in this study is straightforward and only takes place on a single occasion. You will not need to start any new medications, change your normal treatments, or attend long-term follow-up visits.
During your appointment, you will lie down comfortably on an examination bed for about 30 minutes. A researcher will place small sticky patches on your chest to record your heart rhythm (an ECG) and wrap a standard blood pressure cuff around your arm. They will then gently move an ultrasound probe over your neck, your upper arm, and your wrist using cool gel to record the blood flow waves. Once these painless measurements are complete, your participation is finished.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Hammersmith HospitalApproximateLondon, England
Common questions
Does the ultrasound test hurt?
No. The scan is completely painless and non-invasive. You will only feel a cool gel on your skin and the light pressure of a smooth sensor on your neck, arm, and wrist.
Will I need to take any experimental drugs?
No. This study only tests a new scanning technique. You will not receive any medicines or injections, and your regular prescriptions will stay the same.
How long will the appointment take?
The entire visit involves one single session lasting no more than 30 minutes while you rest on an examination bed.
What happens if the scan shows something abnormal?
If the researchers spot an unexpected issue, such as narrowing in your neck arteries, they will let you know and share the findings with your GP so proper medical support can be arranged.
Can I leave the study if I change my mind?
Yes. Taking part is completely voluntary. You can choose to stop at any time without giving a reason, and your regular NHS treatment will not be affected.
How to find out more
Anenta Ramakrishnan
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
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