Psychological state before and after aortic root surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of personalised external aortic root support (PEARS) on the psychological state of patients with Marfan Syndrome
IRAS ID
124333
Contact name
Kate Tchanturia
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kings College London
Research summary
Marfan syndrome is a genetic condition affecting connective tissue. Marfan syndrome causes the aorta (the main high pressure blood carrying tube leaving the heart) to expand. It may eventually tear usually causing death. People with Marfan syndrome are monitored annually to check the size of their aorta. Once it gets to a certain size, an operation is recommended to minimise the risk of a tear. One such operation is personalised external aortic root support (PEARS) surgery, which stops the aorta expanding by putting a specially made sleeve over the aorta. Anecdotally, patients have reported that the monitoring checks and the period waiting for surgery are stressful but no studies have formally investigated this to date. This research will aim to address the following questions: What is the nature and magnitude of the psychological impact in the monitoring phase for patients with Marfan syndrome? What is the nature and magnitude of the psychological impact of awaiting impending surgery for patients with Marfan syndrome? In what direction and how great is any change in psychological state/trait in patients who have had PEARS surgery? This will be done by measuring psychological state before and after surgery retrospectively in 29 patients who have already had surgery. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) will be used to assess the levels of anxiety and depression experienced by participants. The Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) will be used to assess social and occupational functioning. Participants will also take part in a focus group discussing their experiences of the period before and after surgery. It is hoped that this research will provide an account of patient experience of PEARS surgery and help determine the value of these instruments in future prospective studies.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/0679
Date of REC Opinion
24 May 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion