Using AI and 4D Ultrasound to Improve Imaging of Heart Rhythm Disorders
Official title: AI-assisted Imaging and Prediction of Cardiac Arrhythmia Origins using 4D Ultrasound
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10473146 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to use advanced ultrasound and artificial intelligence to get clearer pictures of how your heart beats, which could help doctors better understand and treat heart rhythm problems like atrial fibrillation without needing invasive procedures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $1,392,000 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2HL168071-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10473146 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmias, particularly those who have not responded well to existing treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiac related arrhythmias or those who do not have a diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the imaging of cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, using advanced 4D ultrasound technology combined with artificial intelligence. The goal is to create a non-invasive method that provides detailed, three-dimensional views of the heart's electrical activity, which is crucial for understanding and treating these conditions. By improving the accuracy of imaging, the research aims to identify the origins of arrhythmias more effectively than current methods, which rely on invasive catheter mapping. This innovative approach could lead to better diagnosis and treatment options for patients suffering from heart rhythm disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses and improved treatment strategies for patients with cardiac arrhythmias.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of AI in medical imaging is gaining traction, this specific approach combining 4D ultrasound with AI for cardiac arrhythmias is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Christoph, Jan — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Christoph, Jan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
AI and 4D ultrasound to pinpoint where abnormal heart rhythms begin
Uses AI together with time-resolved 3D (4D) ultrasound to find where abnormal heart rhythms start in people with arrhythmias.
-
Precision imaging of heart rhythms to map arrhythmias without surgery
A new 3D ultrasound method could noninvasively map how abnormal heart rhythms start and travel, helping doctors plan safer treatments for people with arrhythmias.
-
New roles for a heart protein in preventing dangerous rhythms
A heart study will explore how a specific protein regulator (PP2A) affects ion channels that control heartbeat, with the goal of reducing dangerous arrhythmias.
-
Understanding how small potassium channels affect heart rhythm and disease
Aims to understand how tiny calcium-activated potassium channels influence heart rhythm and potentially lead to new treatments for atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
-
3D ultrasound mapping to locate sources of abnormal heart rhythms
This project uses a fast, radiation-free 3D ultrasound method to find where irregular heartbeats start in adults with arrhythmias.
-
Understanding a New Way to Control Heart Rhythm Problems
This work explores how a specific protein in the heart helps regulate electrical signals, aiming to find new ways to prevent dangerous heart rhythm issues.
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.