Improving how we diagnose acute heart failure
Official title: Improving Diagnostic Accuracy for Acute Heart Failure
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10821378 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to help doctors more accurately diagnose acute heart failure in patients who come to the emergency room with symptoms like shortness of breath, so they can get the right treatment faster and feel better sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $847,194 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL153607-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10821378 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who present to the emergency department with symptoms of dyspnea and are suspected of having acute heart failure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic heart failure or those who do not exhibit symptoms related to acute heart failure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the accuracy of diagnosing acute heart failure (HF), a condition that can be easily confused with other illnesses due to overlapping symptoms. It aims to develop a multi-marker diagnostic model using advanced biomarker testing, particularly through plasma proteomics, to improve the identification of acute HF in emergency department settings. By addressing the limitations of previous studies, this research seeks to reduce misdiagnosis rates and improve patient outcomes. Patients presenting with symptoms like dyspnea will be evaluated using this innovative approach to diagnostic testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses of acute heart failure, reducing misdiagnosis and improving treatment outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using multi-marker approaches for diagnosis, but this study aims to expand on those findings with a novel and comprehensive methodology.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gupta, Deepak — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Gupta, Deepak
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using AI to monitor lung fluid in sudden (acute) heart failure in the ER
This project will use an AI-assisted lung ultrasound method to track lung congestion in people who come to the emergency department with acute heart failure.
-
Stepwise water‑pill (diuretic) plan versus usual care for people with acute heart failure in the emergency room
This project compares a step-by-step plan for giving water pills to usual care to help people with sudden worsening heart failure in the emergency room remove extra fluid and feel better sooner.
-
Using AI to monitor fluid buildup in patients with acute heart failure in emergency settings
This study is looking at how using a special ultrasound tool can help doctors better check for fluid buildup in the lungs of patients with acute heart failure in emergency rooms, so they can get the right treatment faster and leave the hospital feeling better.
-
Improving hospitalization decisions for emergency patients with heart failure
This study is looking at how to help doctors decide if patients with acute heart failure should be admitted to the hospital or can safely recover at home, by considering important factors about their health and personal situations.
-
Understanding changes in kidney function during acute heart failure
This study is looking into how heart failure affects kidney function, especially in veterans, to find specific markers that can help doctors understand the different reasons for kidney problems during heart failure, ultimately aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients.
-
Comparing two approaches to diuretic therapy for patients with acute heart failure in the emergency department
This study is looking at whether a special plan for using diuretics can help people with acute heart failure feel better and recover faster in the emergency department compared to the usual care they receive.
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.