Contrast enhanced MRI of carotid atheroma: MRCON Study (2013)

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Evaluation of the role of contrast enhanced 3T MRI in carotid atherosclerosis; MRCON STUDY

  • IRAS ID

    133508

  • Contact name

    Jonathan H Gillard

  • Contact email

    jhg@radiol.cam.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge

  • Research summary

    This study aims to continue the development and optimisation of specific magnetic resonance sequences at 1.5T and 3.0T, along with commercially available, CE marked surface coils, designed to image the components of carotid atheroma, leading ultimately to a comprehensive noninvasive risk assessment of patients with carotid artery narrowing. Risk assessment in these patients is intended to predict those patients that may suffer a stroke as a result of carotid artery disease and therefore help the clinician in choosing which patients need treatment. The specific aim of this proposal is to further develop contrast enhanced MR, expanding on our previous studies REC02/100 and 07/H0308/171.In addition we plan to correlate our imaging findings with novel, inflammatory serum biomarkers with the long term aim of
    creating a combining prediction scoring system for unstable carotid plaques.

  • REC name

    East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    13/EE/0421

  • Date of REC Opinion

    20 Dec 2013

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion