PPG to Predict Ejection Fraction and Other Echographic Data in the General Population

March 3, 2026 updated by: Tulane University

Photoplethysmography (PPG) to Predict Ejection Fraction and Other Echographic Data in the General Population

The investigators are aiming to investigate the association between ejection fraction (EF) determined by echocardiography and signals obtained from Photoplethysmography (PPG) in the general population. The investigators are also aiming to investigate the association between blood pressure and signals obtained from PPG in the general population.

Finally, the investigators are also aiming to investigate the association between signals obtained from PPG in the general population to cardioechographic findings such as, valvular heart disease, structural heart diseases, cardiomyopathies, pericardial disease etc.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The investigators are proposing a cross-sectional cohort study, where any individual, 18 years old or older, scheduled for an echocardiography at Tulane University's outpatient cardiology clinic can be included. After consenting participants, information on their demographics, personal health habits, medications, and medical history will be collected via reviewing, their electronic medical health records. All participants will undergo an echocardiography as part of their routine medical care by their treating physician. Important echocardiographic findings will be noted such as, EF, valvular heart disease, pericardial disease, cardiomyopathies and structural heart disease. Additionally, PPG recordings will be collected simultaneously while performing echography using the Biostrap wristband.

The investigators will analyze the association between each echographic imaging feature, and the PPG waveform obtained. PPG waveform features will be used to develop a predictive model capable of calculating an estimate of ventricular ejection fraction without echocardiography. All echocardiograms will be performed by experienced operators at Tulane Medical Center facilities. The study will occur at a single study site Tulane Medical Center and clinics, with appropriate facilities and equipment to conduct the study accurately and safely.

An experienced echocardiogram technician or cardiology fellow will collect the PPG recordings using the Biostrap application. De-identified echocardiogram reports, including information on LVEF will be matched with the participant's pulse report.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

500

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

    • Louisiana
      • New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, 70112
        • Recruiting
        • University Medical Center
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Nassir Marrouche, MD
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
      • New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, 70006
        • Recruiting
        • East Jefferson General Hospital
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Nassir Marrouche, MD
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
      • New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, 70115
        • Recruiting
        • Tulane Doctors - Speciality Care - Napoleon
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Nassir Marrouche, MD
        • Contact:
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 120 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

All patients undergoing an echocardiogram at Tulane Medical Center may be asked to participate in the study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male or Female aged18 years or older.
  • Patients scheduled to undergo an echocardiogram at Tulane Medical Center.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Participants under 18 years of age.
  • Participants with cognitive impairments.
  • Participants with a physical inability to wear the Biostrap during the echocardiogram.
  • Individuals who cannot read, speak, and/or understand English.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Other
  • Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Patient Group
All patients undergoing an echocardiogram at Tulane Medical Center may be asked to participate in the study. Doctors, including PI and co-PI, will identify eligible patients from their clinic using their clinical knowledge and expertise and the patients' medical history and records. They will provide patients with information regarding the study and if interested, patients will be consented prior to their scheduled echocardiogram.
Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a non-invasive technique that can detect volumetric changes in the peripheral blood. It only requires skin contact and relies on light absorption. PPG is a good indicator of the cardiovascular dynamics in the human body. PPG has been incorporated into various new smartphones and wearable devices such as, smartwatches and fitness wristbands making it readily available to all consumers. This sensor can record biometrics such as, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, etc.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Association between obtained PPG waveforms and recorded ejection (EF) fractions.
Time Frame: Day 1
Patients who will undergo echocardiogram will wear the biostrap watch and then the PPG waveform will be obtained. Then, the ejection fraction will be collected from the echocardiogram report. Then, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) staff member will do a predictive model to try and estimate the EF based on the PPG waveform.
Day 1

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Association between blood pressure and PPG waveforms
Time Frame: Day1
The investigators will record the blood pressure of the patient twice during their visit. Then, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) staff member will do a predictive model to try and estimate the blood pressure based on the PPG waveform.
Day1

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Nassir Marrouche, MD, Tulane University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

August 20, 2021

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 8, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 8, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

April 13, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 5, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 3, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2021-441

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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