Research conducted by a cardiac clinical scientist from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) is helping to improve the detection of heart valve disease using artificial intelligence (AI).

Sadie Bennett has had her master's dissertation accepted for publication in the international journal Echo Research and Practice.

Her paper, 'The value of evaluating cardiac damage in patients with aortic stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis', forms the foundation for the AI model she is developing to help clinicians more accurately assess patients who may need surgery speeding up the diagnostic process.

Sadie, who has worked at UHNM for eight years, said: "As a cardiac physiologist, we carry out a wide range of tests for patients with known or suspected heart disease.

"From ECGs and 24-hour heart monitors to ultrasound heart scans, pacemaker checks and lab testing. I love the variety of the role and being able to combine patient care and the science behind it.

"Thanks to support from UHNM's Centre for NMAHP Research and Education Excellence (CeNREE) I've been able to secure a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) pre-doctoral fellowship, which allows me to dedicate half my week my research."

Sadie's work has also been recognised nationally, with an invitation to join a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) steering group shaping how AI will be used in the NHS to speed up diagnosis and treatment in the future.

She has also been appointed to the British Society of Echocardiography's Research and Audit Committee, where she is leading on their AI strategy along with developing their first ever training course in research skills and techniques taking place this October.

Dr Alison Cooke, associate chief nurse for research and education and CeNREE director, said: ""We're incredibly proud of Sadie's achievements. Her dedication to combining clinical excellence with innovative research is inspiring, and her work is already helping to shape the future of heart care at UHNM and beyond."

Sadie added: "CeNREE have been incredible, I wouldn't be on this path without them."