Clinical Validation of Non-Contrast Enhanced MR Venography
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Clinical Validation of Non-Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Thoracic Venography
IRAS ID
188500
Contact name
David Lomas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Patients with long-term illnesses (kidney or bowel failure) often need tubes and lines placed into the large veins inside the chest to monitor wellbeing and to provide treatments. These tubes have to be replaced regularly and in many patients the veins become damaged or blocked as a result. This makes insertion of the tubes increasingly difficult and increases the risk of complications, which may be serious. Since the damaged veins may not cause symptoms we have to map the veins in the chest using imaging techniques.
Current best clinical practice is to image the large veins using magnetic resonance imaging that involves injection of a dye into the veins, which is difficult in these patients and may be harmful in those with kidney failure. We have developed a new method in volunteers that needs no injection – avoiding these risks. However, to prove it works in damaged veins we need to undertake this study comparing our new method with the current one in such patients.
This feasibility study investigates the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging for assessment of the large veins of the chest in patients referred for assessment prior to insertion of tubes and lines of the large thoracic veins. The study compares current best clinical practice of contrast-enhanced to the proposed future best clinical practice of non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0422
Date of REC Opinion
2 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion