RESPIRE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can Imaging be an Alternative to Exercise Testing as a Predictor of Surgical Fitness?
IRAS ID
346008
Contact name
Sam Butler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM)
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 6 days
Research summary
This study explores an alternative method for assessing readiness for surgery in patients with gastric, oesophageal, or pancreatic cancer. These surgeries are extremely demanding, requiring surgeons to ensure a patient can tolerate the procedure.
Traditionally, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tests (CPET) determine surgical fitness. CPET involves cycling on an exercise bike with increasing resistance until the patient can no longer maintain a constant rate. During CPET, the maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO2max) and the anaerobic threshold (AT) are calculated and used as predictors of surgical fitness. However, CPET tests are physically demanding and resource-intensive. Additionally, some patients may not be able to tolerate these tests due to physical constraints.
An alternative method, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), could measure an individual’s fitness before surgery. This study will use MRS to determine thigh muscle fat levels, which may predict fitness for surgery. The first phase includes recruiting participants on the surgical pathway. MRS will be performed as an additional examination, typically on the same day as the CPET. Fat levels determined from MRS will be compared with conventional CPET outcomes (VO2max and AT). This analysis aims to determine if MRS-derived fat levels correlate with VO2max and AT, potentially providing an alternative to CPET for patients who cannot tolerate exercise tests.The second phase involves recruiting volunteers who will undergo repeated MRS scans to assess the reliability of MRS methods. This process will allow an understanding of the consistency of MRS-derived fat levels over both short and long-term intervals.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NE/0170
Date of REC Opinion
27 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion