The Cardiac Analytics and Innovation (CardiacAI) Data Repository: An Australian data resource for translational cardiovascular research

In Australia, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are managed in a complex and fragmented healthcare system across multiple providers. A data repository that links data sources, and enables advanced analytics and big data technologies, will generate novel insights, and allow development of translational tools that can improve patient care and outcomes. The Cardiac Analytics and Innovation (CardiacAI) project has established a research-ready electronic medical records data resource to enable collaborative and translational cardiovascular research. The CardiacAI data repository prospectively extracts de-identified electronic medical record (EMR) data from two local health districts (LHD) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. These data are linked with Australian population health data to ascertain longitudinal hospitalisation and death outcomes. The data are stored within a secure, cloud-based storage and analytics platform. The CardiacAI data repository is a not-for-profit data resource that promotes collaboration and responsible sharing of data. The CardiacAI data repository is a resource for Australian healthcare providers, clinicians and researchers seeking to improve cardiovascular care. The project is expanding to include data from stroke hospitalisations and two additional NSW LHDs, and is actively exploring linkage with ECG signal data, medical imaging data and community-based healthcare. The CardiacAI project has the potential to unlock a wealth of novel insights and translational tools that improve secondary prevention and treatment of CVD.