Effects of food intake on the univentricular circulation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Comprehensive assessment of postprandial physiology in patients with univentricular circulation
IRAS ID
211200
Contact name
Vivek Muthurangu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
People born with only one heart chamber (rather than two) need to undergo repeated surgery in order to survive. However, these surgical techniques cannot restore normal function and anatomy of the heart, but reroute blood through an artificial circuit that is very different from the natural circulation. Because these techniques have only existed since the 1970s, little is known about the long term consequences of this artificial circulation. One recognised and serious complication is protein losing gut disease. It is relatively common (~1 in 10) and usually results in death within a few years unless the patient undergoes heart transplantation. The causes and risk factors for this disease are poorly understood and no treatment options have yet been established. It is believed that an interplay between slow blood drainage from and poor blood supply to the gut are responsible for this, as well as factors inherent to the body's defense (immune) system. However, these functions of the gut change as the human body ingests food. The significance of food ingestion in patients with one heart chamber is unknown. We want to study their reaction to food by analysing the blood and performing an MRI in order to get a better understanding how food affects their circulation and improve our ways to detect individuals at risk of developing protein losing gut disease.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1649
Date of REC Opinion
27 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion