Predictior of Calcific Aortic Stenosis (PROCAS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Predictors of progression of calcific stenosis in patients with Type 2 Diabetes to identify indications and optimal timing to intervention.
IRAS ID
240397
Contact name
Sunil Ohri
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Development Department (Division D)
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
Aortic stenosis (AS) is a disease where one of the four heart valves (the aortic valve) become stiff, narrowed and fails to open properly. This makes it difficult for blood to flow from the heart to different organs in the body, resulting in
fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath and, if prolonged, sudden death.
Patients with type 2 diabetes have a higher chance of developing aortic stenosis. This disease also progresses faster in these patients. The treatment is replacement of the aortic valve. Currently, the decision to offer surgery to patients is based on the severity of symptoms. We now know that over time, the heart muscle also
experiences changes and becomes stiffer due to aortic stenosis. This may be reversible if surgery is performed sooner. Unfortunately, not all patients with aortic stenosis will experience early symptoms. This means that a delay in
surgery may potentially deprive patients the benefit of improvement of heart muscle performance. The aim of this research is to identify a set of blood tests to be used with an echocardiogram scan (an ultrasound scan of the heart) which can identify patients whom may benefit from early surgery. This study will involve taking blood samples from patients who have aortic stenosis. An echocardiogram scan of the heart will be done before these patients undergo aortic valve surgery. At the time of the surgery, the removed aortic valve will be collected. A small specimen of heart muscle (approximately 2 millimetres) will be taken. Together the blood samples, valve and heart muscle specimens will be tested for the abundance of certain components which can predict how well the heart will recover after surgery. These patients will have blood tests and echocardiogram scans done three months after surgery to see if this changes.REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SC/0162
Date of REC Opinion
23 May 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion