
New Research on PAD Testing and AI
From The Heart of Innovation with Kym McNicholas by Kym McNicholas
May 30, 2026 · 46 min
About this episode
The episode discusses how AI can detect Peripheral Artery Disease using a light-based signal, featuring insights from experts in vascular health.
Could artificial intelligence identify Peripheral Artery Disease before patients face limb loss? Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a machine-learning model that analyzes a simple light-based signal from the toe to detect PAD with remarkable accuracy. This breakthrough has the potential to make PAD screening faster, more accessible, and eventually available on your smartphone. Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips sit down with vascular surgeon Dr. Elsie Ross, cardiologist Dr. Mattheus Ramsis, and engineering PhD student Ava Faccetti to break down how artificial intelligence is transforming vascular health and what this could mean for millions living with undiagnosed disease. FULL RESEARCH DISCUSSION: Altmetric: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-026-02655-w/metrics DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-026-02655-w People who think they have PAD can call the Global PAD Associaton's Leg Saver Hotline at 1-833-PAD-LEGS to learn more and get assistance finding a testing site or treatment. #peripheralarterydisease #padsupport #legpain #legcramps #ABItest #vasculardiseasediagnosis #paddiagnosis #ucsandiego #newpadresearch #globalpadassociation
People in this episode
Host: Kym McNicholas
Guests: Dr. John Phillips, Dr. Elsie Ross, Dr. Mattheus Ramsis, Ava Faccetti
Topics covered
- Peripheral Artery Disease
- artificial intelligence
- vascular health
- machine learning
- healthcare innovation
Keywords
- PAD
- artificial intelligence
- vascular disease
- screening
- health technology
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: UC San Diego, Global PAD Association
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