Improving heart surgery decisions for patients with stable coronary artery disease
Official title: Multi-modality Image Fusion to Improve Coronary Revascularization in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease
Funded at Michigan Technological University · NIH-10796378 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to improve how doctors decide which patients with stable heart disease should have surgery by using special imaging techniques to get a clearer picture of heart function and artery health, helping to ensure that only those who really need it get treated.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan Technological University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houghton, United States) |
| Project start | December 20, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $427,307 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HL172198-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10796378 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with stable coronary artery disease who are considering coronary revascularization.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with unstable coronary artery disease or those who are not candidates for coronary revascularization may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the selection process for coronary revascularization in patients with stable coronary artery disease by integrating physiological and anatomical information. The approach involves combining advanced imaging techniques, specifically gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging with invasive coronary angiography, to create a comprehensive assessment of heart function and artery conditions. By utilizing machine learning to interpret these combined images, cardiologists can make more informed decisions about which lesions to treat, potentially leading to better patient outcomes. The goal is to ensure that only the most suitable patients undergo surgical interventions, improving overall treatment effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more precise and effective treatment decisions for patients with coronary artery disease, ultimately improving their health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that integrating physiological assessments with anatomical imaging can improve treatment outcomes, suggesting a promising avenue for this research.
Where this research is happening
-
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Weihua — Michigan Technological University
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Weihua
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.