Unlocking imaging data’s potential for cardiovascular research
The Scottish Medical Imaging (SMI) dataset is a pioneering national resource, made up of over 57 million de-identified imaging examinations collected across Scotland between 2010 and 2018. Managed by Public Health Scotland, this dataset is the UK’s first comprehensive collection of routinely gathered imaging data.
Right now, the SMI dataset isn’t reaching its full potential in cardiovascular research. A major barrier is the lack of accessible information around the types of cardiovascular imaging available and the diseases they represent, making it challenging for researchers to plan and carry out studies effectively.
About SHIELD-CVD
SHIELD-CVD (ScottisH medical Imaging dataset with Evaluation of Linked Data for CardioVascular Disease) is a collaboration led by the British Heart Foundation Data Science Centre, with Public Health Scotland and experts from King’s College London. The project’s main aim is to make the SMI dataset easier to access and use for cardiovascular research.
Our objectives
SHIELD-CVD webinars
Watching our previous webinars are a great way to find out more about the SHIELD-CVD project
Accessing the SMI Dataset
Researchers interested in using the SMI dataset must submit an application to NHS Scotland’s Public Benefit and Privacy Panel for Health and Social Care (PBPP). The BHF Data Science Centre can support by providing a sample application and supporting documents, which prospective applicants can use as a reference for. We’ll share this information here when it’s available.
We encourage researchers to get in touch with us before submission to discuss how we can help.
Reusable curation tools
Reusable code for data curation will be shared on the BHF Data Science Centre GitHub site.
Collaborate with us
SHIELD-CVD is committed to promoting collaboration in research. By making the SMI dataset easier to access and understand, we’re empowering researchers to carry out high-impact cardiovascular studies that ultimately benefit patients and the wider public.
Areas of work
Find out more about our data-led research.
Whole Population Data
We aim to improve access to and use of high-quality, linked health datasets covering entire populations across the UK.
Defining Disease
To drive large-scale, data-driven research, we’re working to develop and share reusable definitions of cardiovascular diseases in computable forms. These definitions enable researchers to interpret and use health data, leading to more accurate and reproducible studies.
Enhancing Cohorts
We’re working to accelerate health data research by making it easier, faster, and more secure to link data from clinical cohorts with routine health records. This approach will help researchers uncover new insights into disease causes, progression, and treatment, improving patient care and outcomes.
Data Enabled Clinical Trials
By integrating routinely collected NHS health data into clinical trials, we’re helping researchers recruit participants more effectively, reduce administrative burdens, and generate real-world evidence that can lead to quicker, more impactful advances in cardiovascular care.
Smartphones and Wearables
We’re working to unlock the potential of smartphone and wearable data to discover new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cardiovascular disease, by establishing secure access to and fair use of smartphone and wearable data linked to healthcare records.
CVD-COVID-UK / COVID-IMPACT
CVD-COVID-UK/COVID-IMPACT is a major research programme coordinated by the BHF Data Science Centre, bringing together a consortium of over 400 researchers across more than 50 organisations. The programme enables analysis of pseudonymised, linked, nationally collated healthcare datasets across the UK to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease, as well as its impact on other health conditions and risk factors.
Diabetes Data Science Catalyst
This exciting partnership between the BHF Data Science Centre, Diabetes UK and HDR UK aims to develop improvements in our understanding of the link between cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Stroke Data Science Catalyst
A partnership between the BHF Data Science Centre, the Stroke Association, and HDR UK, using data to drive research into stroke prevention, treatments, and care.
Kidney Data Science Catalyst
This partnership between the BHF Data Science Centre, Kidney Research UK and HDR UK will enable researchers to securely access, link and analyse existing UK health data, speeding up the search for better kidney and cardiovascular disease prevention, treatments, and care.