Pulse Wave Velocity and Phase Difference as Novel Biomarkers
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating Pulse Wave Velocity and Phase Difference as Novel Biomarkers in Neonatal Haemodynamics
IRAS ID
237057
Contact name
Mark Turner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 30 days
Research summary
We are going to study a new method of investigating how blood flows around the body of newborn babies.
Many factors affect the flow of blood around a baby's body shortly after birth. This can greatly affect the baby's overall development and lead to conditions such as chronic lung disease, abnormal brain development and intestinal damage. Currently, investigations such as echocardiography (ultrasound) of the baby's heart are used to assess the flow of blood out of the heart and through the major vessels, however, this requires expert training, and is not a continuous method of monitoring the patient's situation. Intermittent monitoring is disruptive and can be distressing for parents and can also be detrimental to the developing newborn as temperature changes, noise and sleep disturbance caused by the investigation can further hinder their development. One way to gain useful information without disturbing the baby is to measure Pulse Pulse Wave Velocity. This is a validated method of measuring the flow of blood around the body of adults, however, the evidence in neonates is limited. Using data on the electrical activity of the heart and waveform of the pulse (which are collected during routine care), a specialist computer software can calculate this value as well as an additional value known as the "phase difference". We hypothesise that these values will be able to help identify certain heart problems in the future. However, not enough is currently known about factors affecting these values. These factors include things such as the baby's weight, if they are preterm, or if they are suffering from any other diseases. We hope to compare these new measurements to a number of variables in the hope of better understanding them and hopefully stimulating further research into their use as a clinical monitoring tool for the future.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NE/0058
Date of REC Opinion
15 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion