Leeds Hospitals Charity

NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility expands cardiac research capabilities with new ultrasound machine

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LCRF Cardiovascular team

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.

NIHR Leeds CRF colleagues featured in Leeds Hospitals Charity exhibition of early career researchers

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An image of Dr Ella Dzora on the left and Dr Rachael Jablonski on the right with medical equipment.

We are pleased to share that our research colleagues are showcased in the Our Research Story exhibition, launched last week by Leeds Hospitals Charity.

Featured by BBC News, the exhibition highlights the impact of patient-focused research at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, showcasing its role as a leading research centre with support from the charity.

Among those featured is Dr Rachael Jablonski, who is an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer and Specialty Registrar in Restorative Dentistry based at the Leeds School of Dentistry and Leeds Dental Institute.

An image of Dr Rachael Jablonski standing next to a dentist chair with some dental equipment.
Dr Rachael Jablonski

Rachael’s clinical academic training centres on oral and dental rehabilitation for patients affected by head and neck cancer, developmental conditions, or facial trauma.

The research examined the use of digital manufacturing to create facial prostheses, custom-made removable silicone devices designed to replace facial features such as an eye or nose, considering patient, clinical, and broader healthcare perspectives.

Rachel also recently made news with her work for the I’m Still Me exhibition of patients’ portraits who wear facial prostheses after treatment for head and neck cancer to illustrate the physical and psychological impact of living with a facial difference.

Also included is Dr Ella Dzora, who is a paediatric trainee. Ella completed her fellowship in September 2024, gaining experience across various clinical teams, including Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Critical Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, Orthopaedics, and A&E. Her work focused on supporting early-phase drug trials and Randomised Controlled Trials aimed at enhancing inpatient care.

An image of Dr Ella Dzora standing with some medical equipment next to a patient bed with a balloon mural on the wall with the number five on it. She is wearing clinical scrubs and a stethoscope.
Dr Ella Dzora

Her role was funded to provide education and support to ward teams, creating opportunities for research activities that busy clinicians may not have the time or capacity to undertake in a demanding ward setting.

The exhibition was launched on Thursday, 13 February, bringing together guests from partner organisations, as well as patients and their families. It currently is in the Bexley Wing of St James’s Hospital, where it will run until Sunday, 23 February, as part of LTHT’s ongoing Research and Innovation Week.

From there, it will be displayed at the Parkinson Building at the University of Leeds until Sunday, 3 March, providing an opportunity for the public to visit.

It is also available at the Leeds Hospitals Charity website.