Right ventricular contractile reserve following lung resection
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessment of right ventricular contractile reserve on exercise following lung resection – a pilot study
IRAS ID
218001
Contact name
Ben Shelley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
National Waiting Times Centre Board
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
Introduction
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK and is the leading cause of cancer related death. Where appropriate, surgery (lung resection) to remove the tumour and the surrounding lung provides the best chance of cure. Post-operatively patients may however suffer long-term shortness of breath greatly limiting their day-to-day function. This shortness of breath is not solely caused by the decrease in lung function but also from a decrease in the performance of the heart. Although the surgery does not directly involve the heart it is thought that it is indirectly damaged by the surgery.Background
In a previous study our research group showed that the function of the right side of the heart (the part of the heart that pumps blood to the lungs) is decreased following lung resection. There is also evidence that patients with poor right heart function before surgery have more complications after surgery. Investigation of its ability to increase its function on exercise (contractile reserve) can detect decreased right heart function when not apparent at rest. Assessment of the contractile reserve of the right heart has not been reliably performed following lung resection.Methods
We will perform ultrasound scans of the heart (echocardiography) before and two months after lung resection of seven patients. During the scans we will assess the function of the right heart at rest and on exercise (cycling). Will we perform various methods of assessing right heart function to determine which is most reliably performed.Aims
The aim of the research is to assess the ability of exercise echocardiography as a method of assessing contractile reserve following lung resection. This will guide further studies investigating both right heart function following surgery and whether poor right heart function on exercise before surgery can detect patients at risk of complications.REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EE/0134
Date of REC Opinion
11 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion