SUMMARY
Paul A. Friedman, M.D., studies the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders with a special interest in atrial fibrillation, stroke prevention and avoiding sudden cardiac death. He focuses his research in the areas of cardiac implantable devices and advanced diagnostics.
Dr. Friedman chairs the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and has developed new artificial intelligence (AI) tools. He also has created virtual and augmented reality tools for medicine, new medical devices, biologicals and pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Friedman's own research includes the development of AI tools and their use in medicine. He creates, evaluates and assesses new types of pacemakers, defibrillators and remote monitoring.
Focus areas
Development of AI in medicine.
This area includes the use of AI with the electrocardiogram (ECG) to find hidden and upcoming diseases. These include silent atrial fibrillation, left ventricular dysfunction, valvular heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other structural heart diseases.
Dr. Friedman researches the embedding of the AI-ECG in new form factors, such as stethoscopes and watches. He also evaluates the effectiveness of AI-ECG in clinical environments.
Dr. Friedman evaluates AI in areas other than ECG such as imaging studies and human voice.
Devices for preventing and treating arrhythmias.
Dr. Friedman develops device-based therapies for preventing and treating arrhythmias, with a special interest in atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias. This research places emphasis on:
- The creation of a cooling device to painlessly end atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.
- The development of an implantable cooling device to stop atrial fibrillation.
- The testing of new forms of pacemakers, including leadless pacemakers and dual chamber pacemakers.
- The evaluation and global testing of an extravascular defibrillator to evaluate pacing, anti-tachycardia pacing and defibrillation with no leads in the heart or vascular system.
Dr. Friedman's research includes new forms of remote monitoring. These new remote monitoring methods include AI observing ECGs detecting hidden diseases such as ventricular dysfunction and applying AI to voice and other signals to detect diseases.
Significance to patient care
Through his research, Dr. Friedman aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of heart arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation and consequent stroke and people at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. By developing new and better devices for managing arrhythmias, as well as guidelines for treatment, he strives to improve outcomes for individuals with these conditions.
Professional highlights
- Norman Blane and Billie Jean Harty Chair, Mayo Clinic Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Honoring Robert L. Frye, M.D., Mayo Clinic, 2019-present.
- Betty Knight Scripps, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine in honor of George M. Gura, Jr., M.D., Mayo Clinic, 2023.
- Fellow, National Academy of Inventors, 2023.
- Team Science Award, Artificial Intelligence in Electrocardiogram, Mayo Clinic, 2023.
- Distinguished Inventor Award, Mayo Clinic, 2022.