Start/end date: July 2024 – October 2025
Funding Agency/Programme: Ministry of University and Research. Innovation Ecosystem “THE – Tuscany Health Ecosystem“. National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). Cascade call managed by Università degli Studi di Firenze as Spoke 2, 3, 5.
Partnership: Fondazione Ri.MED
Abstract: Atrial fibrillation is a major cause of ischemic stroke, with approximately 90% of thrombi originating in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Currently, the thromboembolic risk is estimated on the basis of numerical clinical criteria such as the CHA₂DS₂-VASc, which however do not accounts for the fundamental role of anatomo-physiological parameters such as the morphology and fluid dynamics of the LAA. In fact, recent evidence suggests that the shape and contractility of the AAS are responsible for the alteration of normal hemodynamic conditions in the region, promoting thromboembolic risk. This project aims to develop a telemedicine platform based on machine learning, structured into three phases: creation of a synthetic dataset of LAA models using statistical shape analysis (SSA) and data augmentation; application of computational fluid-structure interaction (FSI), a modeling technique used to simulate the interaction between fluid flow and the structure of the atrial appendage, to quantify the ischemic risk; and development a deep learning model to provide personalised thromboembolic risk assessment. The system will integrate diagnostic images and fluid dynamic parameters, providing a more accurate thromboembolic risk assessment and supporting clinicians in selecting the most appropriate therapy (the most common include anticoagulation, surgical exclusion and percutaneous occlusion of the AAS). The platform will contribute to promote personalized treatment strategies and precision medicine.
Ri.MED UO: Bioengineering & Medical Devices
Ri.MED Principal Investigator: Danila Vella
Other Ri.MED collaborators: Gaetano Burriesci; Claudia Coronnello; Alessandra Monteleone; Nicolina Sciaraffa; Giulio Musotto; Marco Correnti.
Il progetto è finanziato dall’Unione Europea (NextGeneration EU), M4/C2/I1.5 Creazione e rafforzamento di “Ecosistemi dell’Innovazione per la sostenibilità”, Costruzione di “Leader territoriali di R&S”, dal titolo “THE – Tuscany Health Ecosystem” (ECS00000017).