Implementation of Opportunistic Cardiovascular Risk Prediction Using Explainable AI-driven Abdominal CT Biomarkers

Awarded in 2026

Updated Oct 13, 2026

At a Glance

CT scans performed for routine medical care can contain valuable information about a patient’s risk for heart attack or stroke, but this information often goes unused. This project will integrate a computer-based tool that automatically identifies cardiovascular risk from existing scans, into routine care and study whether alerting physicians leads to more patients receiving preventive treatment. The approach could transform patient scans into a powerful tool for preventing heart disease and expanding preventive care.

Collaborators: Perry Pickhardt, MD, professor and chief, Department of Radiology; Matthew Kalscheur, MD, FHRS, associate professor, Department of Medicine; Sarina Schrager, MD, MS, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health; Mary Henningfield, PhD, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health; Mary Ryan Baumann, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Population Health Sciences and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics

More Funded Projects

research icon: microscope and stethoscope

Collaborative Health Sciences Program

Awarded in 2026

Rural patients face a greater risk of major amputation from diabetic foot ulcers, in part because of limited connections to advanced specialty care. Building on a previously developed triage system, this project will bring rural patients and clinicians together with urban specialists to create a coordinated pathway that connects patients to specialty care when needed. The approach aims to improve coordination between rural and urban health systems, expand access to timely care and reduce preventable amputations across rural areas. Collaborators: Kristen Pecanac, PhD, associate professor, School of Nursing, UW—Madison; Emmanuel Sampene, PhD, senior scientist, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, UW—Madison