A team of doctors at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University has created a new tool that could make a real difference in detecting a serious form of heart failure earlier. The condition, called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is often underdiagnosed and can be life-threatening if not caught in time.
Dr. Anjali Vaidya and her team developed the Virtual Echocardiography Screening Tool (VEST), which is now being used within electronic medical records (EMRs). This tool automatically calculates a patient’s risk of PAH and flags those who might benefit from further evaluation by a specialist.
In a study involving nearly 5,000 patients, VEST was able to identify high-risk individuals months before they would normally be referred for expert care. This means treatment can begin earlier, which is critical for improving long-term outcomes in PAH.
Temple University Hospital has already adopted the tool in routine care, and other institutions around the world are starting to do the same. By integrating VEST into existing EMR systems, hospitals can improve how they detect and respond to this dangerous condition, without adding extra steps for doctors or patients.
This is a great example of how digital tools can enhance care, helping physicians act sooner and ultimately giving patients a better chance at managing their health.
Article written by Katz Communications
05/06/2025
Source:
Medicine Temple