Evaluation of Oxygen-Enhanced MRI in Pulmonary Hypertension
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Oxygen-Enhanced MR Imaging of the Lungs: Evaluation in Pulmonary Hypertension.
IRAS ID
187184
Contact name
Becky Ward
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research summary:
Chronic thromboembolic hypertension (CTEPH) is a progressive, life-threatening disease. CTEPH is characterised by chronic clots in the lung blood vessels which eventually leads to severe heart failure. Symptoms are highly debilitating, including breathlessness and weakness. As these symptoms are vague it usually takes 2-3 years to reach a diagnosis, at which stage patients have developed heart failure and severe disability. Early diagnosis can prevent this deterioration, improving life expectancy and enhancing quality of life.Currently, individuals with suspected CTEPH are investigated with a series of imaging techniques including CT, MRI and ventilation-perfusion scans. Imaging combined with clinical findings help in the diagnosis of CTEPH and other similar diseases. However, although each type of imaging provides useful information no single technique is sufficient for complete diagnosis and prognosis. Current gold-standard investigations (CT and ventilation-perfusion scans) also employ significant radiation which is harmful to patients.
In this study we will evaluate a relatively new MRI technique called Oxygen-enhanced MRI (OE-MRI). This technique has already been shown in previous small studies in healthy individuals to be a safe method for assessing lung function, specifically how well the lung fills with air and ventilates. We will use OE-MRI to evaluate patients with possible CTEPH who are already undergoing a clinically indicated conventional MRI scan. At the end of this routine MRI scan an additional MRI scan will be performed which involves giving the patient high-flow oxygen, this will form the ‘oxygen-enhanced’ component. Through using high-flow oxygen, the aim is to assess the degree of lung ventilation. These findings will then be compared with established clinical imaging techniques.
Our findings could help validate a new safe, no radiation technique for assessing patients with CTEPH.
Our multidisciplinary team includes experienced thoracic radiologists with expertise in the diagnosis of CTEPH, MRI physicists and respiratory physicians.
Lay summary of study results:
Conclusions: Visual analysis of OE-MRI with colour mapping is a valuable adjunct in diagnosing CTEPH with similar sensitivity but lower specificity than VQ SPECT and MR-P. Further analysis of quantitative data is required to fully assess the role of this technique.REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0221
Date of REC Opinion
4 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion