Kidney transplant monitoring using near infra-red spectroscopy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Continuous monitoring of kidney transplant perfusion using near infra-red spectroscopy
IRAS ID
213885
Contact name
Wesley Hayes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS foundation trust & the UCL Institute of Child Health
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 29 days
Research summary
Kidney transplant thrombosis (loss of blood flow) is responsible for up to 35% transplant failures in children. Detection of kidney transplant thrombosis currently relies on recognition of deterioration in parameters such as
urine output and blood creatinine levels, which change relatively slowly. Confirmation is then required with an ultrasound scan. There is inherent delay in the above process, during which time some or all of the transplant kidney tissue can die, which can result in failure of the transplant.Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive technique used in continuous monitoring of oxygen levels in several organ systems including the brain, muscles, gut, liver and native kidneys. We hypothesise that NIRS can be applied to monitor kidney transplant blood flow in real time.
We aim to test the use of NIRS in detecting blood flow in established kidney transplants in children, and to compare it with ultrasound, the current gold standard measurement. Existing NIRS equipment would be used within its CE marked purpose measuring oxygen levels; this mechanistic study would extrapolate measured oxygen levels to determine blood flow. Participating children attending outpatient clinic for routine transplant ultrasound scans will have NIRs monitoring for a 10 minute period. NIRs data will be compared to a validated perfusion score from ultrasound images.
If this study is successful, NIRS could provide continuous monitoring of kidney transplant blood flow in the postoperative period, thus allowing immediate detection of blood flow problems. This has potential to reduce kidney transplant failures from thrombosis.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1897
Date of REC Opinion
24 Oct 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion