New Research on PAD Testing and AI

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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