Iron deficiency in elective cardiac surgery (INDICES)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
IroN DefICiEncy in elective cardiac Surgery: prevalence, diagnosis, and accuracy of serum iron indices
IRAS ID
289702
Contact name
Pierpaolo Pellicori
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
GN19CA330, R&D REF
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
Iron is essential for oxygen transport in blood (haemoglobin inside red blood cells) and for muscle function. Iron deficiency is common in heart disease, either because iron is absorbed poorly or blood loss is increased. Iron deficiency may cause anaemia, breathlessness and fatigue, increase the need for blood transfusions after surgery, delay hospital discharge and increase mortality. The most accurate test of iron deficiency is bone marrow biopsy, which is painful. Accordingly, blood tests have been developed, which are useful in healthy people but may not be accurate for those with heart disease. We will measure blood markers of iron deficiency before heart surgery and take a bone marrow biopsy, painlessly, under anaesthesia during the operation to find out which blood test is most accurate.
This study will tell us how common iron deficiency is before elective heart surgery and how it should be routinely tested.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
21/WS/0021
Date of REC Opinion
23 Feb 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion