Non-invasive venous waveform monitor for fluid status in heart failure patients
Official title: Non-Invasive Venous waveform Analysis (NIVA) for Monitoring Volume Status in Heart Failure Patients
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11170642 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses a small sensor and AI to estimate vein pressure so people with heart failure can get easier, non-invasive monitoring of their fluid status.
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 | August 1, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $436,065 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL148244-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11170642 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with heart failure who need monitoring of fluid status or PCWP, including those with tricuspid regurgitation, heart transplants, or LVAD support, are the intended candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without heart failure or whose anatomy or implanted devices prevent clear venous signal measurements may not benefit from this device.
What this research studies
If I join, a small, non-invasive sensor will record my venous waveform signals and send them to an AI neural network that creates a 'NIVA Score' meant to match invasive pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). Researchers at Vanderbilt are refining the device hardware and algorithms based on prior work to improve accuracy and usability. They are specifically testing how the approach works in patients with tricuspid regurgitation, people who have had heart transplants, and those supported by left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The goal is reliable, repeatable fluid monitoring that could be used in clinic or possibly at home to guide treatment without needing invasive catheter measurements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide accurate fluid-pressure readings without invasive catheters, helping guide treatment and potentially reducing hospital visits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work, including an earlier R01, showed promising agreement between NIVA Scores and invasive PCWP measurements, but applying the method to TR, transplant, and LVAD patients is newer and less proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alvis, Bret D. — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Alvis, Bret D.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Non-Invasive Venous Waveform Analysis for Heart Failure Monitoring
A new non-invasive device uses AI to monitor fluid status in people with heart failure to help guide care.
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Monitoring fluid levels in heart failure patients using a non-invasive device
This study is working on a special device that helps monitor fluid levels in people with heart failure, especially those with certain heart conditions or who have had heart transplants, to make sure they get the best care possible.
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This study is looking at how a special diet called the DASH diet can help improve heart health in older adults over 65 with heart failure, by providing them with meals delivered to their homes and checking how it affects their health.
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AI-supported heart failure diagnosis and management in Rwanda
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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.