The project ‘Artificial intelligence based data analysis with two dimensional perfusion angiography imaging in peripheral arterial disease’ has been awarded with a Pioneers in Healthcare voucher. The research of main applicant prof. dr. Bob Geelkerken is focussed on revascularization procedures in patients with peripheral arterial disease, to improve tissue perfusion of the lower leg and foot and thus avoid tissue loss. Success of revascularization assessment is based on peroperative digital subtraction angiography images, which are analysed qualitatively by the vascular interventionist, and are consequently prone to subjective interpretation. Therefore, clinical outcomes after a revascularization procedure are still unpredictable. There is a need for real-time, objective, and reliable peroperative quantitative angiography analysis in the search for a threshold to predict clinical outcomes. This will support the interventionist to make peroperative decisions, improving clinical outcomes.
This year will be all about the furtherer development of the current quantitative software prototype to obtain a fully automated, reliable and reproducible tool. When this project is successful the next step is using the software tool in clinical studies, where the software performances and clinical value during endovascular revascularization procedures will be assessed. The ultimate goal is to use the software tool in clinical routine to enable peroperative quantification of the perfusion to predict and improve clinical outcomes and the efficient use of resources. Ultimately, we will be able to personalize patient-specific treatment, improving clinical outcomes for patients, while reducing procedure times and radiation exposure to the patient and operating team. More legs will be saved, leading to a direct improvement in quality-adjusted life year for patients and a positive outcome of the business impact analysis.
