Funding boost for early cardiac tamponade detection

Fallouh Healthcare, a Birmingham-headquartered medical device innovator, has secured £305,050 in funding from Innovate UK via the Eureka Eurostars programme. The grant will support the final development stages of PerDeCT™, a novel device designed to provide early diagnosis of cardiac tamponade - a serious and potentially fatal complication following heart surgery.

Cardiac tamponade occurs when fluid or clots accumulate around the heart, restricting its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition often arises unexpectedly after surgery, frequently during intensive care hours, and can be difficult to diagnose due to symptoms mimicking other cardiac issues.

PerDeCT™ is engineered to continuously monitor cardiac function in patients recovering from surgery. The device features a small probe and inflatable balloon inserted into the pericardial sac during the operation. By tracking changes in cardiac output linked to balloon inflation, PerDeCT™ can detect early warning signs of tamponade, enabling timely intervention and preventing critical complications. The minimally invasive device can be safely removed once the patient has stabilised.

The two-year development project is led by Professor Bruno Podesser of Medizinische Universität Wien, who will oversee prototype refinement to meet stringent regulatory and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards.

Professor Podesser commented: “PerDeCT™ addresses a crucial clinical challenge by offering a reliable, low-risk way to monitor heart function and catch tamponade before it causes harm. Its simplicity and cost-effectiveness make it a promising tool for improving patient outcomes worldwide.”

Founded by consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Hazem Fallouh, the company combines clinical expertise with innovation to solve critical challenges in cardiac care. Dr Fallouh said: “With up to 30% of deaths following cardiac surgery linked to tamponade, early detection is essential. PerDeCT™ fills an unmet need by offering accurate, continuous monitoring where no such device currently exists.”

Fallouh Healthcare is now preparing to launch clinical trials in the UK and Austria, with plans to advance toward regulatory approval upon successful results. The company, which originated from the University of Birmingham Enterprise’s Unit 9 biomedical incubator, continues to expand and seek further investment.

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