Clinical Research Directory

Stroke and Systemic Embolism Prevention in Adult Participants With Atrial Fibrillation for Whom Oral Anticoagulation is Unsuitable

This study is researching 2 different experimental drugs called REGN7508 and REGN9933 (called "study drugs"). The study is focused on people who have atrial fibrillation, which means that the heart beats too fast and unevenly. When this happens, blood cannot move smoothly through the heart; it can slow down or pool in one spot, which can lead to the formation of blood clots. REGN7508 and REGN9933 are designed to help stop blood clots forming in patients with atrial fibrillation. The aim of the study is to see how effective and safe REGN7508 and REGN9933, individually, are in preventing ischemic stroke or systemic embolism in people with atrial fibrillation who cannot or may choose to not take blood thinners. The study is looking at several other research questions, including: * What side effects may happen from taking REGN7508 or REGN9933 * How well does REGN7508 or REGN9933 lower the risk of having an ischemic stroke and/or systemic embolism compared to the placebo * How well does REGN7508 or REGN9933 lower the risk of having a major health problem affecting heart and blood circulation compared to placebo * How well does REGN7508 or REGN9933 lower the risk of death compared to placebo * How much REGN7508 or REGN9933 is in the blood at different times * Whether the body makes antibodies against REGN7508 or REGN9933 (which could make the study drugs less effective or could lead to side effects)

Safety in Adult Participants With Atrial Fibrillation Who Are Treated With Anticoagulation

This study is researching experimental drugs called REGN7508 and REGN9933. The study is focused on participants who have atrial fibrillation, which means that the heart beats too fast and unevenly. REGN7508 and REGN9933 are designed to help stop blood clots forming in patients with atrial fibrillation. The aim of the study is to see how well REGN7508 and REGN9933 work in patients that get medicine for their atrial fibrillation. The bleeding effects of REGN7508 and REGN9933 will be compared to another medicine (apixaban), which is available on the market to treat and prevent formation of blood clots. The study is looking at several other research questions, including: * What side effects may happen from taking REGN7508 or REGN9933 * How well do the study drugs reduce the risk of having a stroke * How much of REGN7508 or REGN9933 is in the blood at different times * Whether the body makes antibodies against REGN7508 or REGN9933 (which could make the drugs less effective or could lead to side effects)

Pulsed Field Ablation Outcomes With Efficacy and Randomization in Atrial Fibrillation (POWER-AF)

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias in clinical practice. As of 2019, there were approximately 59.7 million patients with AF worldwide, including atrial flutter (AF). Atrial fibrillation can significantly increase the risks of stroke, thromboembolism and heart failure in patients, seriously affecting their quality of life. Catheter ablation is the main means for rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation. A large number of clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness and safety of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. It is significantly superior to drug treatment in maintaining sinus rhythm and can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life. Pulsed electric field ablation (PFA) is a novel ablation method that utilizes pulsed electric fields as energy. It uses multiple short-duration and high-voltage electrical pulses to release ablation energy, selectively causing myocardial cells to rupture and die. However, it has no obvious damaging effect on blood vessels, nerves, and tissues around the heart, such as the lungs, esophagus, and phrenic nerve. This trial was designed based on the advantage of the characteristic that PFA does not damage the esophagus, confining the damage to the posterior half of the left atrium and the circumferential isthmus of the mitral valve. While improving the ablation success rate, it is possible to protect the function of the left atrium. This study aims to verify the superiority of the new rhythm control strategy in a large-scale population by launching a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Construction of a Cohort of Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in Rural China

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia in aging populations and is strongly associated with an increased risk of heart failure (HF) and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, early detection of HF among patients with AF remain inadequate in rural settings. This study aims to screen for HF among older adults with AF in rural China and to conduct long-term follow-up in order to observe the disease progression in patients with AF. This study will recruit at least 2,500 elderly individuals aged between 65 and 80 years, with confirmed diagnoses of AF, residing in rural areas. Participants will undergo HF screening using NT-proBNP testing and echocardiographic assessment. Additionally, data will be collected on electrocardiographic signals, seismocardiography, voice, and demographic characteristics. Following data collection, participants will be followed up every three months to monitor the incidence and progression of HF as well as the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events.

A Global Study Comparing Pulsed Field Ablation With Electrographic Flow Mapping Versus Posterior Wall Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

The purpose of this study is to establish the safety of the pulsed field ablation (PFA) therapy of Pulmonary Veins and Electrographic Flow (EGF) identified extra-PV sources of atrial fibrillation (PVI + EGF ablation of sources) and to demonstrate its non-inferiority in effectiveness compared to PFA of Pulmonary Veins and LA Posterior Wall (PVI+ PWA) in the treatment of de novo symptomatic drug-refractory persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF).

Optimal Shock Energy for Electrical Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction For elective electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation, the recommended standard is the administration of a biphasic direct current shock. However, there is considerable variability among physicians regarding the choice of the initial shock energy, as current clinical guidelines do not specify it precisely. The guidelines of American cardiology societies recommend a shock intensity of at least 200 J, while the European Society of Cardiology guidelines do not comment on shock energy at all. Evidence from a previous randomized clinical trial has shown that using a higher initial shock energy (360 J) is more effective, safe, and reduces the cumulative delivered energy, since lower initial shock energy more frequently requires repeated shocks. The safety of the maximal-energy protocol was demonstrated in this study, among other by the absence of myocardial injury as assessed by cardiac troponin I levels measured 4 hours after electrical cardioversion. However, in this study, the maximal initial shock energy protocol was compared with a low-energy escalating protocol (125-150-200 J), which is no longer supported by current clinical guidelines. Objective The primary objective of the study is to compare the efficacy (short-term maintenance of sinus rhythm and the need for repeated shocks) of two regimens commonly used in clinical practice: 200-360-360 J and 360-360-360 J. Secondary objectives are to identify factors that would justify the use of either lower or higher initial shock energy. Another secondary objective is to confirm the safety of the maximal initial shock energy protocol by assessing the biomarker of acute stress (copeptin) in a subpopulation of patients (n = 60). Methods The main inclusion criterion for the study is the presence of atrial fibrillation or atypical atrial flutter and a clinical indication for electrical cardioversion raised an independent cardiologist. The main exclusion criterion is the presence of typical atrial flutter or focal atrial tachycardia, for which lower shock energy is recommended. This is a prospective, randomized, single-blind (patient) study in which patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio either to (i) 200-360-360 J protocol, (ii) 360-360-360 J protocol, or (iii) individualized selection of one of the above protocols based on additional parameters. I one of parameters next parameters is met, the 360-360-360 J protocol will be applied, if not, the 200-360-360 J protocol will be applied: Left atrial size \> 55 mm, duration of the arrhythmia \> 12 months, BMI \> 30 kg/m2, chest circumference \> 120 cm. Since chest dimensions and the amount of subcutaneous fat may influence resistance to electrical current and thereby reduce the delivered electrical energy, chest dimensions and configuration will be evaluated prior to electrical cardioversion in addition to height and weight. The procedure itself (electrical cardioversion) will then be performed according to the standard institutional clinical practice.

Comprehensive LEFt Atrial Appendage Occlusion With Rhythm Restoration

The objective of this clinical investigation is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of a concomitant procedure involving the Volt PFA System and Amulet 2 device in patients indicated for both AF ablation and percutaneous LAAO.

Oral Anticoagulation After Stroke With Prior ICH in Subjects With AF

This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of initiating direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with a history of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who have recently suffered an acute ischemic stroke. Existing evidence regarding the optimal antithrombotic strategy for this specific high-risk "double-jeopardy" population remains largely undefined. Eligible participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either receive oral anticoagulation therapy or a non-anticoagulation standard of care. The primary objective is to assess the incidence of a composite endpoint consisting of recurrent ischemic stroke and recurrent ICH over a 12-month follow-up period.

From the Emergency Department Directly to Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Study

The study is a prospective, two-arm, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint, multi-center study to investigate the impact of first line ablation in patients presenting at the emergency room with recent-onset paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation.

Hummingbird ICE Study

The goals of this observational study are to collect data and ultrasound images using the Philips VeriSight Pro intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter to assess safety and effectiveness and to support development efforts of the VeriSight Pro imaging platform.

The Added Value of Three-dimensional Electroanatomic Mapping For Accurate Delivery Of Pulsed Field Ablation In The Pulmonary Veins Compared To Pulsed Field Ablation With Fluoroscopy And/Or Intracardiac Echocardiography Alone In The Treatment Of Atrial Fibrillation: MAP-PFA Study

This is a randomized control trial that aims to evaluate the added value of electro-anatomical mapping to improve the quality of pulse field ablation lesions during Atrial fibrillation ablation.

FARAPULSE Workflow Assessment Registry

The study is designed to determine the best practices in the patient pathway, and to analyze pre-procedural, procedural and follow-up workflow data related with ablation of atrial fibrillation where the FARAPULSE™ Pulsed Field Ablation System is used in a commercial and standard of care setting. Workflow-related variables, inclusive of pre-procedural imaging, methods of transseptal access, anesthesia/sedation technique, intracardiac mapping, ablation settings, dosing strategy, lesion sets and general procedure management, will be used to identify predominant workflow schemes that will be associated with patient demographics, procedure-related complications (safety parameters), and one-year effectiveness parameters. The study data can be used for procedural workflow optimization when using Pulsed Field Ablation for the ablation treatment of Atrial Fibrillation based on patient demographics, cardiac anatomy and arrhythmia characteristics.

Unrecognised Comorbidity Detection in Hospitalised Patients

Over two million people in the UK are unaware that they're living with a long-term (chronic) health condition, such as diabetes or a heart problem. These chronic conditions can lead to serious complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems. By diagnosing these conditions earlier, effective treatments can be started sooner which will reduce the risk of harm. However, diagnosis relies on people having symptoms and contacting their doctor or attending NHS Health Checks. There are over 16 million admissions to English hospitals each year. Hospitals collect a lot of information during a hospital stay including patients' age, blood test results and blood pressure measurements. Research has shown that this information can be helpful in spotting people with chronic conditions. This study aims to design and test a digital platform to find the patients in hospital who are most likely to have a chronic disease or develop one in the near future. To do this, the investigators will: * Use information from earlier research studies and experts to pinpoint which patient information (for example, certain blood tests) would be most useful to spot people with chronic conditions. * Extract relevant information from historical patient records, looking at who has these risk factors and which patients developed chronic conditions. The investigators will use information from hospital and general practitioner records. * Build tools to combine this information to predict which people have, or will develop, chronic conditions. * Implement these tools into a "real-time" digital platform that could be used to find which people should undergo further testing for a chronic condition. * Test the platform usability with clinical stake holders.

P-wave Duration and Local Potential as Predictors of AF Recurrence Following Pulmonary Vein Isolation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia worldwide and is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization. Catheter ablation, most commonly pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), is an established rhythm control strategy for AF4. Despite technological advances and the emergence of pulse field ablation (PFA), long-term AF recurrence after a first ablation procedure remains frequent, occurring in approximately 30-50% of patients5. Post-ablation follow-up strategies, including visit frequency, rhythm monitoring intensity, and Antiarrhythmic Drug management, vary widely across providers and institutions and are largely guided by subjective assessment rather than objective, science-based recurrence risk estimation6. In parallel, asymptomatic (silent) AF recurrence is exacerbated following ablation, limiting the reliability of symptom-driven follow-up7. FOLLOW-AF is a retrospective, observational cohort study designed to validate the FollowGenius algorithm and evaluate the diagnostic performance in predicting AF recurrence based on atrial remodeling and vein isolation. The cohort will be patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF who underwent PVI with the PFA modality.

Out-of-office Monitoring for Rhythms Of Normal Versus Atrial Fibrillation

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if screening for atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common irregular heart rhythm, through daily home blood pressure monitoring will decrease the time to atrial fibrillation diagnosis in older adults with hypertension. The main question it aims to answer is: \-- Does introducing screening for AFib using a blood pressure monitor with AFib detection technology decrease time to AFib diagnosis in patients with high blood pressure, compared to usual care using a conventional home blood pressure monitor with no AFib detection? Participants will participate in two phases of the study: (1) clinical trial and (2) the registry. During the 6-month clinical trial period, participants will be asked to: * Take blood pressure measurements twice daily * Answer short weekly mobile app-based surveys * If assigned, complete continuous heart monitoring for 2 weeks and complete 1 blood test During the 12-month registry period, participants will be asked to: * Take blood pressure measurements twice daily * Answer monthly mobile app-based surveys Researchers will compare standard blood pressure measurements and AFib screening blood pressure measurements to see if there is a difference in the time to AFib diagnosis and other cardiovascular events. Participants will participate in two phases of the study: (1) trial and (2) the registry. During the 6-month trial period, participants will be asked to: * Take daily blood pressure measurements * Answer short weekly mobile app-based surveys * If assigned, complete continuous heart monitoring for 2 weeks and complete 1 blood test During the 12-month registry period, participants will be asked to: * Take daily blood pressure measurements * Answer monthly mobile app-based surveys

Pulsed Field Ablation in the Coronary Sinus: Feasibility and Safety of a Novel Approach for Mitral Isthmus Block

Why This Study Is Important * Many patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) continue to experience abnormal heart rhythms even after receiving standard treatments. * Standard heat-based energy can be difficult to use in these areas because fast blood flow cools the tissue, and excessive heat may damage nearby structures like the right coronary artery. Our Approach * Investigators are testing a newer technology called pulsed field ablation (PFA). * Unlike traditional methods, PFA uses ultra-short electrical pulses rather than heat to target heart cells specifically while protecting neighboring nerves and blood vessels. * This study focuses on applying this energy within the coronary sinus to help achieve a more complete and lasting electrical block for the mitral isthmus. What To Expect * This study involves 30 participants who are already undergoing a catheter ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation. * The research team will monitor how successful the procedure is at immediately stopping the abnormal electrical signals. * Participants will have follow-up visits over six months to check for any returning heart rhythm issues and will receive a specialized heart scan (CTA) to ensure the nearby coronary arteries remain healthy

Assessment of Pulmonary Vein Isolation Using a Balloon Catheter With Pulsed Field Energy in Atrial Fibrillation

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether pulsed field ablation (PFA) using the novel VOLT catheter is as safe and effective as conventional thermal ablation (radiofrequency or cryotherapy) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in adult patients undergoing their first pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is PFA with the VOLT catheter non-inferior to thermal ablation in preventing recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias 2-12 months after the procedure? * Is PFA with the VOLT catheter associated with fewer or comparable serious complications (such as cardiac tamponade, stroke, or phrenic nerve injury)? Researchers will compare the outcomes between patients receiving PFA with the VOLT catheter and those treated with thermal ablation techniques to see if PFA offers comparable or potentially better safety and efficacy. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either pulsed field ablation (PFA) or thermal ablation (radiofrequency or cryotherapy). * Undergo standard follow-up visits at 2-3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-ablation. * Have repeated ECGs and Holter monitoring to assess heart rhythm. * Complete quality of life questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. * Use a home ECG device (Kardia Mobile) weekly during the final 3 months of the study. The study includes 136 adults (≥18 years) with paroxysmal or persistent AF, in two participating hospitals. The total study duration is 3 years, including a 2-year enrollment period and 1-year follow-up per participant.

CARTIZ Registry: Cartilage, Arthropathy and Imaging Under Tirzepatide in Zone-stratified Cohorts - A Four-Institute Mexican Observational Registry

CARTIZ is a prospective observational clinical registry of adults in Mexico receiving tirzepatide (a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist) under an independent clinical indication - typically type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, renal protection, metabolic hypertension, or associated off-label metabolic use. The registry is entirely observational: CARTIZ does not initiate, modify, interrupt, or supply tirzepatide, and does not dictate dose, route, or duration. All pharmacological exposure decisions are made by the treating physician independently of study participation. The registry is operationalized through a four-institute architecture integrating three Mexican National Institutes of Health and one national imaging laboratory. Core 1 (Knee Cartilage Imaging, Ci3M UAM-Iztapalapa) performs bilateral 3T MRI with quantitative T2 mapping at Week 0 and Week 52. Core 2 (Cardiac Imaging, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez) performs non-contrast cardiac computed tomography for radiomic phenotyping of epicardial adipose tissue at Week 0 and Week 52 under cardiovascular Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Erick Alexánderson Rosas. Core 3 (HLA Typing, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Transplant Department) performs Class I and Class II HLA typing by PCR-SSO Reverse Luminex. Core 4 (Body Composition, Universidad La Salle México) performs multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (seca mBCA) at six longitudinal timepoints capturing visceral adipose tissue trajectory, phase-angle trajectory, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, and hydration ratios at zero marginal cost. The registry enrolls n=30 patients across three clinical sites with identical protocol (IMSS Clínica Río Magdalena, INCMNSZ outpatient clinic, and a private practice site in Mexico City), generating 60 evaluable knees and 30 paired cardiac CT studies. The primary co-endpoints address a mechanistic question no other tirzepatide study is positioned to answer: whether the articular response to tirzepatide in inflammatory arthropathy precedes and mechanistically precedes weight loss, through formal mediation analysis of Week-4 ACR20 response via high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, SERPINB2, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 activity, restricted to the Mechanistic Analysis Set of patients with tirzepatide exposure ≤16 weeks at Week 0 and delta-BMI \<1.0 kg/m² through Week 4. A prespecified Surgical Tissue Subcohort is declared at initial registration to establish public scientific priority on direct human epicardial adipose tissue transcriptomic characterization under dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonism. Subcohort participants who undergo clinically indicated cardiac surgery at INCar during follow-up (coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacement, or combined procedures) are invited to provide specific additional informed consent for collection of epicardial adipose tissue fragments routinely excised during operative access and otherwise discarded as surgical waste. Operational launch is contingent on separate INCar tissue-specific approvals and will proceed via PRS record amendment when ready

Low-frequency Electrical Stimulation for Cognitive Enhancement in Atrial Fibrillation

Cognitive function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is often impaired due to the complex influence of various factors (cerebral hypoperfusion, neurodegeneration, microemboli, hypertension, chronic inflammation). This leads to impairment of cognitive functions, including attention, memory, executive functions, and speed of information processing. The search for affordable and safe methods to maintain or improve cognitive function in this group of people is an urgent task of modern medicine. One of the promising approaches is percutaneous low-frequency electrical stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation - tVNS). The auricular (auricular) branch of the vagus nerve is a peripheral branch of the vagus nerve innervating the skin of the auricle in the area of the tragus and the inner part of the external auditory canal. The tVNS engages the sensory fibres of the vagus nerve and thus mimics the sensory input to the brainstem, forming the so-called auriculo-vagal afferent pathway. Since these fibres project directly to the nucleus of the solitary pathway (solitary tract), which, in turn, has direct and indirect projections to the nuclei providing noradrenergic, endorphinergic and serotoninergic fibres in various parts of the brain regulating systemic indices of cardiovascular, respiratory and immunological functions, the organism's response to stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve is systemic in nature. Stimulation of this nerve can modulate central nervous system (CNS) activity, affecting processes related to memory, attention and emotional state. Mechanisms of action of tVNS include modulation of parasympathetic activity, enhancement of neuroplasticity through increased expression of neurotrophic factors (e.g., BDNF), improvement of cerebral blood circulation, and regulation of neuroinflammation (reduction of proinflammatory cytokines).

AIC Genotyping Study

To quantify genetic variants in a focused DCM gene panel among AF-induced cardiomyopathy (AIC) and positive/negative controls

Monotherapy With P2Y12 Inhibitors in Patients With Atrial fIbrillation Undergoing Supraflex Stent Implantation

Patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation require treatment with different antithrombotic drugs. Oral anticoagulants are prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation. Antiplatelet substances are prescribed after stent implantation to reduce the risk of adverse cardiac events such as myocardial infarction or stent thrombosis. Treatment with antithrombotic medications can cause bleeding complications, particularly when these substances are combined. The currently recommended standard strategy consists of treatment with 3 antithrombotic medications for at least 1 week up to one month, followed by treatment with two of these medications for up to 6-12 months after stent implantation. Thereafter, patients usually receive long-term treatment with only one drug, an anticoagulant. In the monotherapy group of this study, the investigators will investigate a strategy where only one antithrombotic drug will be used at a time. During the first month after stent implantation, the investigators will prescribe an antiplatelet medication, followed by an oral anticoagulant as monotherapy. This strategy might be associated with fewer bleeding complications, while protecting adequately against thrombotic events. In this study the investigators would like to investigate whether treatment with a single antithrombotic drug ("monotherapy strategy") is associated with benefits compared to the currently recommended combination therapy of antithrombotic medications ("standard-of-care strategy").

OPTION-EMEA Clinical Trial

The OPTION-EMEA post-market study is intended to gather real world clinical data for patients undergoing AF ablation with the FARAPULSE™ Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) System and subsequent left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with a WATCHMAN FLX™ Pro or WATCHMAN FLX device during one interventional case. The study will include patients that are clinically indicated for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation using the FARAPULSE PFA System and for left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) treatment using a WATCHMAN FLX Pro or WATCHMAN FLX device as part of the patient's standard of care determined by their doctor's medical judgement.

Evaluation of Probiotics' Effect on Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence in Patients Undergoing Cardioversion

The aim of this clinical study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of probiotics on atrial fibrillation recurrence.

Cardiologist-Administered Midazolam vs. Anaesthesiologist-Assisted Propofol Sedation For Transoesophageal Echocardiography-Guided Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation

Irregular heart rhythms, known as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, are common conditions that can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure. A standard treatment to restore a normal rhythm is a controlled electric shock, known as cardioversion. However, if the irregular rhythm has lasted more than 24 hours, if the duration is uncertain, and if the patient has not been on blood-thinning medication for at least three weeks, doctors must first check for blood clots in the heart. This is done using a special ultrasound scan of the heart through the food pipe. Both the scan and the electric shock treatment require sedation to make the patient relaxed or asleep. The scan uses mild sedation from a cardiologist, while the shock needs a stronger sedative given by an anaesthesiologist. But needing this extra doctor can cause delays, so patients often wait longer for treatment and to go home. This study will test whether a cardiologist can safely handle both steps using a sedative called midazolam. This study will include 220 adults at multiple hospitals in Denmark and compare this new approach to standard care. Researchers will track how quickly patients go home, how well the treatment works, any serious side effects, what patients think about the experience, and how much money can be saved. If proven safe and effective, this new method could reduce treatment delays, shorten hospital stays, and lower healthcare costs-ultimately improving care for patients and making the healthcare system more efficient.