Fontan-FAPI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Fibroblast Activation in the Fontan Circulation
IRAS ID
356400
Contact name
David Newby
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
The Fontan procedure, pioneered in the 1960’s, is a set of operations in childhood that allows children to survive to adulthood that would otherwise almost certainly die in infancy. To date, it is estimated there are >70000 patients with this circulation world wide, most of whom are <25 years old and growing. While this operation now allows around 80% of patients that require it to live to 30 years old, they do so with significant health problems. Almost 100% of people with Fontan circulation end up with liver disease.
Major unknown questions around Fontan-assocaited liver disese include
(1) how many will go on to develop major liver disease including liver cancer or require liver transplant. (2) how should we monitor for this liver disease and identify those at highest risk.
We propose using the new PET scan that can identify areas of cells that are programmed to be 'fibrotic' in the liver and heart. We plan to compare this signal in the liver with the currently used liver and heart scans and blood tests, as well as test how accurate and reliable the new PET scan is.
As part of the study, participants will be asked to attend the specialist imaging research centre in Edinburgh based at the Royal infirmary of Edinburgh twice within a month period. At each half-day visit participants will have a cannula placed, given an injection of the special 'radiotracer' and have a series of scans in the ultra-accurate positron emmision tomorgraphy and computed tomography (PET/CT) scanner - a scanner that allows us to see and count the active fibrotic cells in the body.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
25/ES/0059
Date of REC Opinion
18 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion