Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) awarded Geisinger Clinic $727,665 under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837) on July 15, 2026, to improve the detection and understanding of aortic aneurysms through large-scale radiologic and genetic risk assessments. The project, set to conclude on March 31, 2030, will utilize deep learning-based automated analysis of existing radiologic images to enhance detection and measurement of aortic aneurysms in both abdominal and thoracic segments. By gathering large-scale, high-precision data on aortic diameters, the research will examine the natural history, prevalence, risk factors, and diagnosis rates of aortic aneurysms while evaluating current screening practices to propose more inclusive diagnostic criteria that address underdiagnosis in underrepresented populations including women, non-smokers, and individuals without known family history.

In parallel, the project will integrate genetic risk factor analysis to identify individual genes and specific genetic variants that influence aortic diameter and contribute to aneurysm development and progression. Additionally, the research team will employ novel machine learning and artificial intelligence approaches to uncover previously unrecognized clinical risk factors driving aortic aneurysm formation and progression. These data-driven methodologies will provide insights into the biological mechanisms underlying aortic aneurysms and ultimately reduce the risk of rupture through improved early detection and monitoring strategies.