High-resolution Imaging of Archived Hearts
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating Cardiac Micro-anatomy of Archived Hearts by Diffusion Tensor-MRI and Micro-CT Imaging
IRAS ID
288239
Contact name
Robert Stephenson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Birmingham
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
RG_20-180, Sponsor Reference number
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Dr Stephenson and colleagues have worked with cardiac surgical teams to develop a method to investigate the micro-anatomy of soft tissue specimens by contrast-enhanced micro computed tomography. They have found that a solution of iodine can be used to provide sufficient contrast between tissue types so that it is possible to visualise and quantify the cardiac conduction system in 3 dimensions. The research team has also developed techniques allowing the orientation of the cardiomyocyte to be mapped in 3-dimensions by both micro-computed tomography and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging. They have published the techniques in several substantial papers using both animal and human samples. We wish to apply the same techniques to the hearts from the Birmingham Children's Hospital Heart Archive. Applying these techniques to congenitally malformed hearts will provide useful new information on the differences compared to the normal morphology and will be useful for education in congenital malformations and for surgical planning.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/0906
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jul 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion