Over the past two years, Northwestern Medicine has played a key role in supporting Vizlitics’ AI-powered solutions by contributing oncology expertise, real-world clinical insights, and a pilot environment. Vizlitics led the design and development of the products, translating clinical needs into scalable tools that integrate into existing clinical and research workflows.

As a result of the collaboration and support from National Institute of Health (NIH) SBIR Phase II contract, Northwestern Medicine has activated Vizlitics’ Clinical Trial and Real World Data products, marking a key milestone in efforts to improve trial matching, streamline research operations, and expand access to clinical trials for patients with cancer.

“Clinical trial participation remains one of the most challenging areas in oncology, driven in large part by fragmented data systems and manual workflows,” said Deva Mahalingam, MD, PhD, Associate Director of Clinical Research, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern Medicine. “Through our collaboration with Vizlitics, we were able to apply real-world oncology expertise directly into product development and deployment within a live clinical environment. Implementing this technology enables earlier identification of eligible patients, reduces operational burden on research teams, expands access to clinical trials, and helps generate research-grade structured clinical data at scale.”

Vizlitics’ platform uses artificial intelligence to curate longitudinal patient data, extract structured clinical information from unstructured records including faxes and media files, and automatically pre-screen patients for clinical trial eligibility. The tools are designed to support clinical research teams while fitting seamlessly into existing health system workflows by screening >95% of the patients prior to their upcoming consultation. Structured patient data extracted for pre-screening and research spans patients screening, diagnosis, treatments, comorbidities and outcomes across complete patient’s care journey.

"Our collaboration with Northwestern Medicine shows how health systems and Digital Health AI companies can co-create solutions faster together, using a confluence of clinical data, workflow automation, and responsible AI to address the challenges that clinicians and researchers face every day," said Tarun Kumar, co-founder and CEO of Vizlitics. "Northwestern Medicine's oncology expertise, clinician feedback, and rigorous pilot environment helped us build two clinically validated solutions with measurable impact - accelerating patient-to-trial matching, reducing manual screening burden, and turning unstructured clinical records into structured, research-ready insights at scale. We're excited to see both products activated and to keep working together to make clinical trials more accessible and research operations more efficient."

Northwestern Medicine and Vizlitics plan to continue collaborating as the technology is deployed at scale, with a shared focus on improving cancer research efficiency, clinician experience, and patient access to cutting-edge therapies.

“For both patients and physicians, it can be challenging to balance the risk and benefits of continuous anticoagulation therapy,” said Rod Passman, MD, MSCE cardiac electrophysiologist at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute and director of the Center for Arrhythmia Research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “Currently, standard of care for AFib leaves many patients on blood thinners for the rest of their lives even if they experience very infrequent arrhythmias either on their own or as the result of medications or ablation treatment.”

The seven-year trial will recruit participants at more than 80 sites nationwide, randomizing them to either receive the current standard of care of continuous blood thinners or the “pill-in-pocket” treatment directed by a study app on Apple Watch. The trial will also examine whether this new approach can reduce major bleeding events compared to continuous therapy.

Dr. Passman is leading a clinical trial that, if successful, could potentially provide a more personalized approach to preventing AFib-related stroke. The Rhythm Evaluation for AntiCoagulaTion (REACT-AF) trial will  monitor a participant’s AFib episodes to attempt to reduce patients’ continuous and lifelong reliance on blood-thinning medication. A collaboration between Northwestern Medicine and the American Heart Association, the study is funded by a multi-million-dollar grant awarded to Northwestern University and Johns Hopkins University from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

“We know that risk of stroke is greatest in the weeks following an episode of AFib then returns to a low level, which suggests the potential for anticoagulant therapy only as needed rather than every day of the year,” says Dr. Passman, the principal investigator for REACT-AF. “However, many patients have no symptoms of AFib, so treating in the moment is challenging. That’s where wearable technology comes in.”

The trial will use a custom study app on Apple Watch that utilizes its powerful heart health features to monitor heart activity and notify patients when they’re entering an episode. When alerted to an episode, participants will start blood-thinning medications only for a few weeks when they are considered at highest risk for stroke.

“If we can show this ‘pill-in-pocket’ strategy is equally protective against stroke and also reduces bleeding caused by these blood thinners, that could potentially save lives, reduce cost, improve quality of life and fundamentally change the standard of care for millions of patients living with AFib,” said Dr. Passman, who for ten years has studied solutions to end the standard “one-size-fits-all” practice of prescribing lifelong blood thinners to everyone with AFib.

To participate in the clinical trial, individuals must have an iPhone. Apple Watch devices are provided to participants through a contribution from Apple.

“This is an exciting opportunity to better understand how this technology can help us better personalize patient care,” said Dr. Passman. “Why should patients expose themselves to the risk and cost of these drugs when they may not be benefiting?”

Individuals interested in enrolling in the study should visit ClinicalTrials.gov to review inclusion criteria and find a trial site near them.

Northwestern is the lead study site. Partnering institutions include Johns Hopkins, Stanford University and University of California at San Francisco. REACT-AF is funded by grant number 1U24HL165066-01; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05836987.

For information on the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute’s Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders or to find other cardiovascular clinical trials, visit heart.nm.org. To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit news.nm.org.

About Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is an innovative powerhouse in developing the latest, safest advances in cardiovascular care. Anchored in downtown Chicago, it has expanded and integrated across the Northwestern Medicine health system, bringing advanced cardiovascular services close to where patients live and work. Consistently recognized as one of the top cardiology and cardiac surgery programs in the country, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital is ranked seventh in the country by U.S. News & World Report in the annual “America’s Best Hospitals” rankings.

For more information about Northwestern Medicine’s top ranked cardiovascular care, go to nm.org/heart or call (312) NM-HEART. For more information about Northwestern Medicine, visit https://news.nm.org/.

CHICAGO, IL – February 14, 2025 – Over the past two decades, the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute (BCVI) has become a global destination for life-saving therapies, breakthrough procedures, and research that has transformed cardiovascular care. Founded on Valentine’s Day in 2005, BCVI was created with a generous gift from local philanthropist Neil G. Bluhm who wanted to help Northwestern Medicine meet the growing need for world-class cardiovascular care in Chicago and beyond. 

“I felt it would be important to the city that we have a great heart hospital instead of a situation where the wealthy were traveling elsewhere and everybody else was not getting great treatment,” said Bluhm. 

 After 20 years, with hundreds of thousands of patients treated and countless lives saved, Northwestern Medicine physicians, nurses, staff and patients will celebrate BCVI’s 20^thanniversary on February 14 during American Heart Month. 

 Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death, but breakthrough discoveries and new technologies are dramatically lowering that burden. To date, the BCVI team of more than 186 specialized cardiologists, cardiac and vascular surgeons have accomplished milestones such as:  

• Ranked among the top 10 cardiology, heart, and vascular programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for the last nine years
• Ranked among the top 20 hospitals in the world for cardiac surgery with over 900% growth in procedures since BCVI began
• Treated patients from at least 27 countries and all 50 states
• Seventh ranked patient-preferred hospital in the nation for heart care
• 95% patient satisfaction in 2024 
• Best heart failure survival in the nation
• Among the top 15 hospitals in the nation for heart attack survival
• First in the world to implant the Impella BTR heart pump
• Among the first in the nation to offer pulsed field ablation to treat atrial fibrillation  
• Secured $100 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health since 2020 
• Recruited more than 40 top-talent physicians over the last three years
• Home to three American Heart Association (AHA) Presidents
• A record six AHA Strategically Funded Research Networks totaling $25 million
• Home to three of the most highly cited scientific authors, top 1% in the world 

“This anniversary is a tremendous milestone for the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute and underscores our commitment to our patients and the communities we serve,” said Howard Chrisman, MD, president and chief executive officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “Our steadfast commitment to grow and expand access to world-class heart care throughout the Chicagoland area has been and will always be a driving force for Northwestern Medicine.”

A gift from the heart 

In the early 2000’s, Bluhm was treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital for heart issues. On February 14, 2005, he generously donated a $10 million gift, and the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute was born. The gift facilitated the recruitment of renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, a world leader in cardiac surgery, with the goal of building a world-class heart and vascular program accessible to all Chicagoans. 

 Along with several other gifts over the years, in February 2022, Bluhm and the Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation announced a $45 million gift to establish the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Heart Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The gift expands cardiac care capacity and addresses health equity by supporting under-resourced Chicago communities, including the soon-to-open Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Care Center. 

 “The transformation has been stunning. From a relatively small program we grew into a powerhouse with BCVI facilities across the region and growing every year. Mr. Bluhm’s generous gift allowed us to hire and train the best doctors and teams of care providers and rapidly adopt transformative new technologies and procedures,” said Dr. McCarthy, who is now the executive director of BCVI. 

Expanding care and saving more lives 

BCVI’s rapid growth can be attributed to its ability to recruit and train top-tier talent. Douglas Johnston, MD, surgical director of BCVI and chief of cardiac surgery, has been the force behind the recent meteoric rise of the cardiac surgery program. Since joining BCVI in 2022, Dr. Johnston has grown the program by a staggering 42%. BCVI performs about 2,750 cardiac surgeries per year, compared to 250 cases 20 years ago, and BCVI performs one of the highest volumes of surgical and transcatheter heart valve procedures in the country.

 “We’ve seen exceptional growth at our downtown campus and in our regional programs. Waiting for an appointment is one of the most frustrating things for a heart patient with a new diagnosis, and our goal is to decrease wait times and improve access for all patients,” said Dr. Johnston. 

 BCVI’s success has allowed the program to treat more patients and stimulate job growth in the Chicago area. In 2005, the institute had 300 employees and treated 1,000 new patients annually. Today, BCVI has 2,400 employees and treats 48,000 new patients each year.

 Anchored in downtown Chicago, BCVI has expanded across all Northwestern Medicine locations and is now integrated into nine Northwestern Medicine hospitals. This makes it possible for patients to receive most cardiovascular care in locations close to home, only traveling downtown for highly complex procedures. 

 “The landscape for heart failure treatment has transformed remarkably over the last two decades, offering patients more options and more hope than ever before. We have achieved the best heart failure survival rates in the U.S. for two consecutive years. This success is rooted in a highly integrated system of care, where patients receive state-of-the-art treatment close to home. We are now expanding this model across our network to ensure excellence in care for all our regional programs,” said Jane Wilcox, MD, associate chief of cardiology at BCVI.

 Taking the future to heart 

Through its partnership with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, BCVI researchers are pushing the boundaries of cardiovascular treatments through ongoing clinical trials. Their discoveries drive advancements that lead to better therapies, minimally invasive procedures, quicker recovery times, and improved patient outcomes. 

• BCVI helped introduce a non-surgical valve replacement procedure for the sickest patients with aortic stenosis. 
• BCVI helped accelerate FDA approval for new technology to replace a leaky tricuspid valve through a catheter. 
• Clinical investigators helped secure FDA approval for blockbuster medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Jardiance. 
• The BCVI Clinical Trials Unit has more than 10,000 research study participants enrolled in 100 ongoing clinical trials.
• 3,100 cardiac and vascular manuscripts published over the last three years.
• Twelve national principal investigators represented in clinical trials.

 “Every breakthrough or technological advance began with a question, often at the bedside. From that curiosity spawns research and via research discovery ensues. It is the steady arc of relentless research that fuels best patient outcomes and we in the BCVI are on the leading edge of scientific discovery,” said Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc, chief of cardiology at BCVI and vice dean of health equity at Feinberg School of Medicine.

 Leveraging their advancements over the past 20 years, BCVI leaders are making strides towards innovations that will improve patient lives for generations to come, including: 

• The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as machine learning to identify patients with advanced heart failure and patients at risk of developing atrial fibrillation and heart disease
• Combating a sonographer shortage by using an algorithm to automate measurements on echocardiograms
• Studying whether using a smartwatch to monitor atrial fibrillation could alleviate lifelong reliance on blood thinners 
• Engineering human heart tissue to better understand a range of cardiovascular conditions 

 “When we started this journey 20 years ago, the iPhone hadn’t been invented, and today we use artificial intelligence to read all electrocardiograms. Replacing heart valves without surgery was science fiction, and now it is everyday practice. Thanks to Mr. Bluhm, and the talented team we have built, the next 20 years should be just as transformative as the last 20 years,” said Dr. McCarthy.

 For more information on BCVI and cardiovascular treatments, visit NM.org/heart. 

Published in JTCVS Open, the Acupuncture After Heart Surgery (ACU-Heart) study found that acupuncture is practical, well-tolerated and has clinical benefit for patients who have undergone heart valve surgery, including lower rates of post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF).

“Heart surgery is a lifesaving procedure, but it can contribute to physical discomfort and surgical side effects like atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), while also having a psychological impact on the patient” says lead investigator, Kim L. Feingold, PhD, a cardiac psychologist and the founder and director of Cardiac Behavioral Medicine at the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “We know that the mind and body are connected, so we’re always looking for ways to improve the patient experience and reduce the emotional consequences of heart disease, which can include depression and anxiety.”

Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for more than 2,500 years and is believed to stimulate the nervous system. The practice involves inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points along the body to influence the flow of energy and promote healing. Acupuncture has been shown to have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea effects.

In the ACU-Heart pilot trial, consenting patients undergoing valve surgery with no prior history of atrial fibrillation (AFib), were randomly sorted into two groups. One group received standard care after surgery and the other received daily acupuncture intervention from the day after surgery until discharge.

“The acupuncture was delivered to each patient in their hospital room by a licensed acupuncturist from Northwestern Medicine Osher Center for Integrative Health,” explains Dr. Feingold. “The acupuncturists coordinated timing with patients and medical providers to ensure that acupuncture was not disruptive to routine medical care.”

Dr. Feingold says that she and fellow researchers wanted to answer three main questions with the ACU-Heart study:

1. Would patients embrace acupuncture during such a significant event as heart surgery?
2. Is it logistically feasible in a cardiac surgery setting to provide daily acupuncture to patients? 
3. Does acupuncture impact medical outcomes such as AFib and post-surgical symptoms such as pain, nausea, stress and anxiety?

The findings were positive on all three fronts.

“We learned that acupuncture after open heart surgery is feasible in this fast-paced environment — even in the intensive care unit the day after surgery — and was well tolerated by patients with no adverse effects,” says Dr. Feingold. “The majority of patients had no prior history with acupuncture, demonstrating their openness to receive integrative therapies after surgery. Overall, patients reported that it was a pleasant and positive aspect of their cardiovascular surgery recovery.”

She notes that some of the nurses commented that patients were more relaxed and calmer after acupuncture. “In a future study, we can fold in measuring the impact that acupuncture intervention has on the care team,” says Dr. Feingold.

From the study, the research team found that acupuncture after heart surgery was linked to:

• Lower rates of post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) by 58%. Patients in the study who received acupuncture had a 14% incidence of POAF compared with 33% in the standard control group.
• Reduced pain, nausea, stress and anxiety. Based on patient reporting, these surgical side effects were reduced with each acupuncture session.
• Less time spent in intensive care. Patients who received acupuncture spent about seven fewer hours in the intensive care unit than study participants who didn’t receive acupuncture.
• A reduced need for antiarrhythmic medication at the time of discharge by 68%. Approximately 10% of patients who received acupuncture were on a heart rhythm medication (amiodarone) at the time of discharge compared to 27% in the standard control group. 

“Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia impacting patients after heart surgery and comes with the increased risk of stroke, heart failure and abnormal blood pressure. Managing Afib and other postoperative symptoms is a key to achieving good outcomes in cardiac surgery,” says co-investigator Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, cardiac surgeon and executive director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. “While this is a small study, it shows significant promise and we’re excited by the idea that there’s a potential intervention that’s inexpensive, accessible, low risk and it’s well-tolerated by patients.”

Dr. Feingold and Dr. McCarthy agree that a larger, multicenter trial with patients undergoing a broader range of heart procedures is needed to better understand the impact of acupuncture on the severity and timing of POAF, as well as the post-operative physical and emotional symptoms such as pain, nausea, depression and anxiety.

“It's exciting to demonstrate the potential role of integrative therapies like acupuncture in the cardiovascular setting — including after cardiac surgery,” says Dr. Feingold. “There's more to be done, but the ACU-Heart pilot trial certainly demonstrates significant promise.”

The study was funded through a philanthropic gift from the Malkin Family Foundation and approved by the Northwestern University Institutional Review Board (#STU00201408).

B-ROLL, SOUNDBITES & PHOTOS: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wl524jvxceyuhcil88lvw/h?rlkey=3l4e4uhrl67ufqdstpy4r1owi&dl=0

STUDY LINK: Acupuncture after valve surgery is feasible and shows promise in reducing postoperative atrial fibrillation: The ACU-Heart pilot trial - JTCVS Open

In the United States, breast cancer incidence in Hispanic women is 28 percent lower than in non-Hispanic white women, who have the highest incidence rate. Despite these lower occurrence rates, Hispanic women are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer and have a 30 percent higher mortality rate highlighting the significant health disparities this population faces when it comes to accessing high-quality breast cancer care and screening.  

“What we see in the Hispanic community is that the women are being diagnosed at later stages, even though their diagnosis tends to be at a younger age,” says Claudia Tellez, MD, a medical oncologist at Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Medicine. “And because they’re being diagnosed at a later stage, their cancers are generally more aggressive, and the prognosis is less favorable.” 

Dr. Tellez is working to change this by breaking down barriers and providing Chicago’s Hispanic women with better access to breast cancer screening, treatment and research with the recently launched Lurie Cancer Center Hispanic Breast Cancer Clinic at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.  

“Many Hispanic women in Chicago struggle to access care or are not receiving the highest standard of care because of language barriers, financial limitations and other factors,” says Dr. Tellez, medical director of the new clinic. “Our team is dedicated to addressing these disparities and improving access by providing culturally sensitive care, bilingual support, and educational resources tailored to the needs of Hispanic patients.”  

Led by Dr. Tellez, who is a native of Colombia, the Hispanic Breast Cancer Clinic offers personalized care from a multidisciplinary team of breast cancer experts, supportive care specialists and administrative staff who all speak Spanish. The core clinic team includes a physician, nurse, medical assistant, social worker and research assistant.  

“Getting a breast cancer diagnosis is scary and overwhelming – even more so when you can’t access care in your preferred language,” says Dr. Tellez. “Patients who come to us can expect a safe and welcoming environment where each person they encounter – starting from their first phone call through their treatment – will speak Spanish. We want every patient to be confident in her treatment plan and feel comfortable communicating with a care team that embraces her culture and speaks her preferred language.”  

One of Dr. Tellez’s goals with the new clinic is to increase the number of Hispanic patients participating in clinical trials for breast cancer, an area where they are consistently underrepresented.  

“Breast cancer patients that are Hispanic represent about a third in the city of Chicago. A third of the patients that we’re seeing for clinical trials should be Hispanic,” says Dr. Tellez “And yet, we see less than 10 percent Hispanic patients participating in clinical trials in the city of Chicago. And for pharmaceutical company trials, it’s even lower at around 2.5 percent.” 

In addition to often being diagnosed younger and with later stage cancers, Hispanic women are at higher-risk for triple-negative breast cancer and HER-2 positive breast cancer, aggressive subtypes of the disease that require a targeted, specific treatment plan.  

“There are distinctive features about Hispanic women with breast cancer. For instance, they have subtypes of breast cancer that are unique, and we need to be aware of that and treat them accordingly,” says Dr. Tellez. “Participation in clinical trials often means access to new drugs or treatments that aren’t available otherwise. More participation and representation also create an opportunity for clinical trials that are very specific to those subtypes, such as triple negative, and can help improve treatments for the disease.”       

Community outreach and partnerships with Hispanic health advocates will be an important element to the success of the new Hispanic Breast Cancer Clinic.  

 “We’re working with community groups and health advocates who are known and trusted in the community. Together, we want to ensure that Hispanic women are knowledgeable about the importance of regular screenings and early detection,” says Dr. Tellez. “And if they need care, we’re here and ready to help. Our goal is to ensure that every patient who walks through our door has the information, education and resources needed for the best possible outcome in their breast cancer journey,”  

On Saturday, October 28, Dr. Tellez will participate in Lurie Cancer Center’s annual Breast Cancer Community Forum for Hispanic women. The event will feature educational presentations in Spanish about breast cancer, followed by an interactive discussion with a panel of experts who will answer questions about treatments, surgeries, as well as the emotions and challenges faced by cancer survivors. The event is free and open to the public. Register online: Foro Comunitario Sobre Cáncer de Seno.  

To schedule an appointment with the Hispanic Breast Cancer Clinic, call our Spanish-speaking patient liaison at 312.472.0805 (TTY: 711) or visit the clinic's website in Spanish or English.

B-ROLL, SOUNDBITES & PHOTOS: Hispanic Breast Cancer Clinic - Dropbox 

VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL DEL COMUNICADO DE PRENSA: El Centro Oncológico Lurie lanza una clínica hispana de cáncer de mama en el Northwestern Memorial Hospital
 
For more information about Northwestern Medicine, visit https://news.nm.org/.  

Winfield, Ill. – Children’s Oncology Group (COG) recently approved Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital as an affiliate member institution through the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

The distinction is an expansion of the current COG status, and it allows pediatric hematology and oncology specialists at Central DuPage Hospital to provide eligible patients and families with the opportunity to enroll in the latest clinical trials and therapies, including trials that involve investigational drugs.

“The distinction as an affiliate member institution with COG is very important to patients and their families seeking clinical trials in the western suburbs,” said Ammar Hayani, MD, pediatric hematologist and oncologist, Lurie Children’s at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. “Patients no longer have to travel long distances in order to receive this specialized care. This is not only more convenient for families but also safer for the patients.”

Pediatric hematology and oncology specialists at Central DuPage Hospital provide comprehensive care for children and adolescents with a wide range of cancers and blood diseases. Using a family-centered, multidisciplinary approach to care, specialists help young patients return to a life focused on the future.

Specialized services available to pediatric hematology/oncology patients ranging from newborns to young adults at Central DuPage Hospital include: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, transfusions, coagulation replacement therapy and minimally invasive surgery. Should hospitalization be necessary, patients benefit from the 24-hour onsite coverage provided by Lurie Children’s hospitalists and critical care specialists in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Units at Central DuPage Hospital.

COG is the world leader in pediatric oncology research. The vast majority of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S. are cared for at COG member institutions.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital offers leading-edge and compassionate specialty care to families in Chicago's west suburbs. This unique program offers access to Lurie Children’s physicians in 35 specialties at outpatient centers throughout the west suburbs.

To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit nm.org.

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