Quantification of muscle-enriched microRNAs in Myocardial Infarction
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Quantification of muscle-enriched microRNAs by Droplet-Digital PCR in Acute Myocardial Infarction
IRAS ID
264261
Contact name
Ioakim Spyridopoulos
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospital Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study aims to assess a new lab technology (Droplet-Digital PCR) to measure small molecules (muscle-enriched microRNAs) to see if these molecules can be used to assess degree of damage of heart muscle following a heart attack, and whether this can be used to guide further management.
Standard management of an acute heart attack nowadays is to get the blocked coronary artery opened to restore blood flow to the damaged muscle again as quickly as possible. This immediate, life-saving treatment is provided in specialist centres. The blocked artery is opened with a balloon and placing a stent into it to hold it open, a procedure called primary PCI (primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty). It is however impossible to predict the degree of damage to heart muscle at this early point following opening of the blocked artery. Methods to predict this such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or special resistance measurements during the procedure (intramyocardial resistance) are only performed in research studies, expensive and are restricted outside research setting. Decision making is therefore reliant on blood tests, like troponin, which is unfortunately unable to accurately predict damage or future risk.
We aim to develop a novel blood test using ddPCR which is now available at the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Newcastle University. This technique as proven in our pilot study, can accurately measure and quantify microRNAs released by the damaged heart muscle. If successful, we plan a ‘simple’ multi-centre study where we only take one blood sample and test its predictive value in a large cohort of patients. This will ultimately help a) establish successful treatment (reperfusion) of our heart attack patients, b) make proper risk assessment of patients following acute heart attack c) discharge low-risk patients earlier and focus more management and subsequent follow up on high-risk patients.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NE/0094
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion