LUS for PGD in Lung Tx
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Prospective Observational Study for Diagnosis of Primary Graft Dysfunction Using Lung Ultrasound in Patients Receiving Lung Transplantation
IRAS ID
253120
Contact name
Stefanie Curry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Papworth Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
Lung transplantation (LTx) is a well-established treatment for management of end-stage respiratory disease, with the aim of improving patient survival and quality-of-life. However, outcomes following LTx remain inferior to those achieved in other solid organ transplantation. The most significant limiting factor to achieving good outcomes for this patient group is primary graft dysfunction (PGD), which is a severe form of lung injury and major cause of early morbidity and mortality after transplant. To facilitate diagnosis, monitoring and treatment planning for patients with suspected PGD, current imaging techniques such as computed tomography and chest radiography are routinely used to identify the characteristic radiological features of acute lung injury and to grade the severity of PGD. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is another method that can be used to visualize the lungs, although this method is not routinely used for transplant patients. As an assessment tool, lung ultrasound is non-invasive and easily available. LUS has been used for identification and monitoring of other acute lung conditions, but is not currently used for this patient group. It is proposed that LUS could support early identification of the development and severity of PGD and enhance the ability to monitor progression of PGD over time. The aim of this study is evaluate to use lung ultrasound as an assessment tool to identify and grade PGD within the first 72-hours post-transplant compared to standard imaging techniques. The study will be done by undertaking daily bedside LUS scans on patients during the immediate 72-hour period post-lung transplant to assess grade of PGD. This data will be compared with concurrent standard imaging grading of PGD for statistical comparison. Using LUS to assess the grade of PGD would allow transplantation teams to implement therapeutic interventions earlier and LUS could be used as a non-invasive tool to observe response to interventions.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0072
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion