Allegheny General Hospital First in Western PA to Participate in Clinical Trial Using Artificial Intelligence to Detect Deep Vein Thrombosis in Cardiac Patients

PITTSBURGH – Vascular surgeons at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), the academic medical center of Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network (AHN), announced today they are the first team in western Pennsylvania and the third in the United States to participate in a clinical trial that studies the diagnostic capabilities of artificial intelligence to detect deep vein thrombosis in cardiac patients.

In close partnership with ThinkSono, a UK-based AI company, vascular surgeons and researchers at AHN’s Cardiovascular Institute will use an AI-powered ultrasound technology to quickly and conveniently diagnose deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), all from point-of-care images captured by a clinician using a handheld scanner and smartphone.

The trial officially kicked off in January 2025.

DVT is a condition that occurs when blood clots develop in veins – typically in the legs – blocking blood flow to the lower extremities and causing debilitating long-term swelling and pain (post-thrombotic syndrome). In severe cases, DVT-related clots can become dislodged and travel to either the heart or lungs, causing stroke, heart attack or pulmonary embolism.

Historically, standard detection of DVT takes place via a duplex ultrasound performed by a trained vascular technologist or sonographer in a designated ultrasound lab. The imaging test looks to detect blockages in veins caused by blood clots.

But ThinkSono moves DVT detection out of the lab. The portable technology leverages real-time AI-powered guidance during point-of-care ultrasounds, allowing any operator to capture compressed images of patient veins, whether in the exam room or at the bedside.

The trial’s lead investigator at AGH is Satish Muluk, MD, director of vascular surgery at AHN.

“This breakthrough technology has the potential to dramatically improve patient outcomes by accelerating DVT detection and subsequent care," said Dr. Muluk. "By empowering a wider range of healthcare professionals to perform this imaging procedure, we can reach patients more quickly and minimize delays in lifesaving treatment.”

The fact that ThinkSono’s technology can be used by a variety of healthcare staff, instead of only sonogram-trained technicians, is a significant benefit amid the ongoing healthcare workforce shortage, which includes ultrasound technicians and qualified sonographers, Dr. Muluk explained.

As part of the clinical trial, researchers at AGH will perform traditional ultrasounds for patients with and without DVT, as well as ThinkSono Guidance system scans. The performance of both methods will be compared to assess and validate the accuracy of the ThinkSono system.

“Clinicians will capture ultrasound images using handheld devices, and AI will be used to guide them to areas of concern. Those images will then be sent to a clinician trained to detect DVT, such as a vascular surgeon, radiologist or emergency medicine physician,” Dr. Muluk said. “It’s a real-world application of artificial intelligence in healthcare that could significantly improve the patient experience.”

DVT affects up to 300,000 Americans every year and is most often caused by a lack of mobility, making older, hospitalized patients most susceptible. Treatment includes anticoagulants or thrombolytics, and for medication-resistant DVT, filters may be placed into the veins to prevent cardiac or pulmonary embolisms.

AGH joins just two other institutions nationwide to participate in this clinical trial, which is expected to conclude and publish results this year, in preparation for subsequent FDA submission.