There are several major translational programs underway in APEXHeart Lab, led by Professor Girish Dwivedi.
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
1. Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology
The group is applying artificial intelligence (AI) to improve interpretation and risk prediction in:
- Automated cardiovascular image analysis for accelerated image-guided precision cardiac care
- Outcome prediction and treatment optimisation in clinical cardiology including electrophysiology
- Electrocardiography (ECG) pattern recognition for early disease detection
These AI-driven approaches aim to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce clinician burden and personalise cardiovascular risk assessment.
2. Retinal Imaging for Early Cardiovascular Detection
The team is developing a non-invasive retinal imaging platform that uses advanced polarisation-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) to detect microvascular and neural biomarkers associated with coronary artery disease.
By using the eye as an optical window to systemic vascular health, this technology aims to enable rapid, radiation-free cardiovascular screening in primary care. Ongoing clinical validation is assessing its performance against standard-of-care cardiac investigations.
The goal is to provide a scalable screening tool that improves early detection, particularly in regional and underserved communities.
3. Wearable Radar Monitoring for Heart Failure
Heart failure remains a major cause of hospitalisation, often due to delayed recognition of fluid overload and decompensation.
The team is developing Radar as a Medical Device, a non-contact, flexible radar system capable of objectively measuring jugular venous pressure (JVP). This provides a direct physiological marker of cardiac congestion without catheters or probes.
By enabling wearable and remote haemodynamic monitoring, this program aims to reduce preventable hospital admissions and support proactive heart failure management in clinics and at home.
4. Bioelectronic Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Obstructive sleep apnoea is a major but underdiagnosed cardiovascular risk factor. The project is to develop a minimally invasive, battery-free neurostimulation system designed to deliver targeted, controlled therapy during sleep. This approach aims to overcome limitations of existing treatments and improve long-term adherence.
5. Restoring Leptin Sensitivity in Obesity
Obesity is a major driver of cardiovascular disease, yet many patients experience leptin resistance, where the brain no longer responds appropriately to satiety signals.
This program focuses on transforming leptin resistance into sensitivity through novel therapeutic strategies, with the goal of providing safer and more sustainable alternatives to surgery and current pharmacotherapies while reducing long-term cardiometabolic risk.
