Effects of chronic kidney disease on coronary flow reserve
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease: The Chronic Renal Impairment in Birmingham Coronary Flow Reserve (CRIB-FLOW) study
IRAS ID
256537
Contact name
Jonathan N Townend
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Chronic kidney disease is associated with an increased risk of heart problems and death. The causes of these increased heart problems are not fully understood, but are thought to include inflammation, scarring and increased heart muscle thickness. It is increasingly recognised that problems with the very small blood vessels that supply the heart may play a role in heart muscle diseases. This has been shown in other heart conditions that share similarities with the changes in the heart seen in kidney patients.
Our study aims to assess the function of these very small blood vessels that supply the heart muscle in patients with chronic kidney disease. We will do this using specialised ultrasound measurements. The techniques to do these measurements are not widely used in the UK so initially we will do a pilot study to ensure that they are feasible and gain data on coronary flow reserve values in a UK population. Based on the pilot study, we will then perform a larger study using these techniques.
If we demonstrate that patients with kidney disease have dysfunction of these small vessels and that this causes the abnormal changes in the heart, in future, treatments may be developed to target this mechanism. This will help to reduce the risk of heart problems in patients with kidney disease.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0066
Date of REC Opinion
4 Apr 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion