A2002185

Cardiac ultrasound (also known as echocardiography) is the key test to assess, diagnose, monitor and treat heart disease. It Is carried out by a single member of staff, is safe, reproducible, repeatable and non-invasive. The equipment needed is also portable so can be performed at the bedside or elsewhere in the hospital at short notice. These factors mean it is the primary method of cardiac assessment in studies across medical and surgical fields.

The Leeds General Infirmary Clinical Research Facility (LGI-CRF) provides the only research cardiac ultrasound service for patients over 16 taking part in clinical trials across the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Cardiac ultrasound is essential for prior assessment and ongoing in-trial monitoring of cardiac function. The LGI-CRF research echocardiography team consists of three senior cardiac scientists accredited by the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) and registered with the specific portfolio of studies to ensure reproducibility and efficiency.

However, having only a single cardiac ultrasound machine is a significant limitation on the ability of the LGI-CRF to participate in research studies. Additionally, whilst the existing machine is adequate for standard imaging, developments in imaging have taken place over the last 7 years, limiting our ability to participate in high-profile studies of new techniques. With a second cardiac ultrasound machine, the LGI-CRF team would have additional capacity to increase not only the number and range of their multi-centre research portfolio including imaging work but would also be able to more rapidly recruit to and complete their own investigator-initiated work. 

Lead Researcher	Julie Corrigan
Host Organisation	Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Grant Amount	£90,892.47
Start Date	01/12/2022
Estimated Duration	5 years
Impact Areas	Innovation & Health Technologies
Tags/key notes	Cardiovascular