The UK College of Medicine Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine has recently been spotlighted by the MOMENTOUS bi-monthly newsletter for their institutional commitment to advancing pulmonary research and improving patient care.
The MOMENTOUS study (iMpact Of an ecg ai ModEl oN The diagnosis Of pUlmonary hypertenSion) is a multi-center, prospective clinical study evaluating whether an artificial intelligence (AI)–assisted electrocardiogram (ECG) tool can improve the early diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), a lung disease.
Pulmonary hypertension is a serious and often fatal condition that is frequently underdiagnosed, particularly in patients with ILD, because its symptoms overlap with underlying lung disease, and traditional screening tools are imperfect. The study uses a validated AI model developed by Tempus (the sponsor for the study) that analyzes routine 12-lead ECG data to identify patients at high risk for previously undiagnosed PH. By flagging high-risk patients and prompting earlier diagnostic evaluation with echocardiography and right heart catheterization, the study aims to reduce diagnostic delays and improve identification of clinically meaningful PH.
Michael Powers, MD, was recognized for being at the top of the leaderboard in enrollments for MOMENTOUS for patients enrolled on the University of Kentucky’s behalf. High enrollment demonstrates successful collaboration between clinical teams, research staff, and patients, as well as the ability to efficiently integrate innovative research tools into routine clinical workflows.
“As an ILD physician, I am constantly concerned about the development of pulmonary hypertension in my patients, either secondary to advanced lung disease or underlying autoimmune disorders. I was intrigued by the prospect of using a test as simple and noninvasive as an EKG to better identify the presence of PH in this high-risk, vulnerable population,” says Dr. Powers.
Being a top-enrolling site also positions UK as a national leader in evaluating emerging technologies such as AI-assisted diagnostics, that may shape future standards of care for patients with complex pulmonary diseases.
Srushan Shankara Bhaktula, MBBS, MPH, a clinical research associate, is UK’s primary coordinator for MOMENTOUS. “The goal of the MOMENTOUS study is to show that AI-assisted ECG screening can meaningfully increase the timely diagnosis of clinically relevant pulmonary hypertension in patients with ILD compared to current standard practice,” says Dr. Shankara Bhaktula.
“If successful, the study could support a new, scalable approach to identifying high-risk patients earlier in their disease course, enabling faster referral for definitive testing and earlier access to guideline-based therapies. Ultimately, the findings may help improve outcomes, optimize use of diagnostic resources, and inform future clinical guidelines in pulmonary medicine.”