Microcirculatory normal ranges using CytoCam-IDF imaging - v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Establishing normal ranges of microcirculatory function as determined by CytoCam-IDF imaging
IRAS ID
214674
Contact name
Jonathan Thompson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
When infection strikes, the body’s immune system reacts by producing chemicals in the bloodstream and changes in white blood cells to attack the infecting organism (bacteria, viruses or other organisms) and prevent it spreading. This is termed the ’inflammatory response’. Though beneficial by fighting infection, this response can sometimes be excessive, causing harmful effects on body organs. This is termed the ‘systemic inflammatory response syndrome’ and when linked to infection is termed ‘sepsis’.
Previous research has shown that in patients who have sepsis, the small blood vessels supplying oxygen and nutrients to muscles and other organs (the microcirculation) become abnormal and do not function as they would in health. However, it is difficult to assess the function of microcirculation in clinical practice, and we want to assess new ways of doing this.
The aim of this study is to test a new method for assessing the function of these small blood vessels, by directly visualising them using a highly sensitive microscope, the size of a pen, placed under the tongue. By understanding the flow of blood in these vessels in healthy individuals, we will gain a better understanding of how these vessels are affected in illness.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EM/0019
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion