Flu clinic screening for detection of aortic stenosis v. 7.9.16
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Early Detection of Aortic Stenosis in the Community: Role of Clinical and Echocardiographic Screening During Influenza Vaccination
IRAS ID
215711
Contact name
Richard Steeds
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
IPPMed UK
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Aortic stenosis (AS) involves the progressive degeneration of the aortic valve, leading to obstruction to flow and increased pressure on the heart. Initially asymptomatic, once symptoms of AS develop, prompt surgical treatment is required in order to improve survival. Many patients present late when intervention may not be offered or when the benefit is reduced. A new diagnosis of moderate or severe AS is clinically important and should prompt referral for evaluation, treatment, and/or long term surveillance while patients are well.
AS can be detected by listening to the chest with the aid of a stethoscope (auscultation), although this method may not be as sensitive as ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography). In this study, both techniques will be performed on consenting individuals attending a clinic/GP for a flu vaccination. Such vaccination is advised for people over the age of 65 years; therefore, this setting provides a large population of individuals that are at the highest risk for AS. The main aim of the study is to measure the rate that AS can be detected in individuals without symptoms. The two techniques will be performed at the same visit as the vaccination, and no further visits relating to the study will be necessary. In the event that AS is detected, the patient’s GP will be informed, and all further care will be managed through them, independent of this study.
The information gathered during the study will help to determine the prevalence of AS in people over the age of 65 years. It will also be used to compare the rates of detection using the echocardiographic and auscultation techniques. Ultimately, the data will enable an estimation of how effective a screening programme would be and could inform cost-effectiveness studies in the future.REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/WM/0453
Date of REC Opinion
25 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion