Leeds continues to lead the way in cardiovascular research, establishing itself as a premier centre in the UK with over 50 active clinical trials using advanced diagnostic equipment. Thanks to funding from the Leeds Hospitals Charity, the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility at Leeds General Infirmary has acquired a second cardiac ultrasound scanner, commonly known as an ‘echo’ machine.
This additional imaging technology will significantly improve research efforts by allowing more patients to participate in groundbreaking clinical trials. The ultrasound machine has the potential to benefit thousands of patients involved in cardiovascular research at Leeds Teaching Hospitals annually.
Cardiac ultrasound technology is vital in diagnosing, assessing, monitoring, and treating patients across various specialties, particularly in heart disease and cancer research. The high-quality imaging provided by this machine plays a crucial role in developing and adopting new treatment pathways, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
Since its installation, nearly 750 scans have been performed, offering invaluable insights into heart health. One patient who has benefited from this advanced technology shared their experience:
“I was diagnosed with a faulty heart valve which required regular echo scans for monitoring. The scans were non-intrusive, quick, and painless. They allowed the medical team to track the condition of my valve and determine the optimal timing for its replacement.”
The expansion of cardiac ultrasound technology at Leeds sets the stage for significant advancements over the next five years. The facility is now positioned to develop into a national hub for echocardiography and clinical cardiac science research.
Julie Corrigan, CRF Inclusion Lead at the Leeds Clinical Research Facility, said:
“The echo machine has enabled us to explore novel echocardiographic imaging biomarkers, which may help detect subtle heart impairments. This can allow us to tailor which cardiac device a patient needs before their pacemaker is fitted.”
She further explained:
“Most recently, we have used the echo machine to determine the presence of heart failure in patients with pacemakers. This has given us unique insights into how heart rate correlates with heart function. The data gathered enables us to individualize medication therapy and optimize pacemaker programming, ultimately improving patients’ quality of life, exercise capacity, and reducing the risk of worsening heart failure.”
This cutting-edge cardiac ultrasound machine marks an exciting step forward in cardiovascular research at Leeds, reaffirming its commitment to pioneering advancements in patient care and treatment innovation.