Using Voltammetry for detection of deterioration in acute pancreatitis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Novel monitoring technique using Voltammetry for early detection of deterioration in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP): OxiPanc Study
IRAS ID
363944
Contact name
Sanjay Pandanaboyana
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Development Officer - The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
One of the significant clinical decision making challenges in patients with acute pancreatitis is the early and accurate diagnosis of clinical deterioration due to organ failure (OF) and any delay increases the risk of mortality. This program introduces one novel tracking technology that addresses current limitations to enable early and accurate diagnosis of OF. Tracking for the early and accurate detection of incipient OF is critical to enable appropriate triage/transfer decisions, early interventions and reduce failure to rescue rate for improved clinical outcomes and survival. Current approaches to tracking patients includes clinical review, blood tests and radiological imaging. These all have inherent limitations, including subjectivity, delays, inaccuracy, cost and radiation.
Voltammetry (VLM) is an innovative technology to monitor oxidative stress (OS). Our current VLM prototype delivers a reagent free, electrochemical reaction using 2 drops of plasma from centrifuged blood, using a screen-printed electrode chip at the bedside in under five minutes. By scanning a voltage range across the fluid, VLM oxidizes each type of low molecular weight antioxidant (LMWA) at their species specific ‘oxidation potential’. This electron donation to the recording electrode creates a detectable current spike which correlates with the individual antioxidant’s concentration in that sample. It has been shown that the anodic current correlates with markers of organ dysfunction, inflammation, injury severity and disease severity.
This technology is portable, bedside, rapid and repeatable and will directly aid triage and decision about aiming of transfer and treatments.
Hypothesis: Tracking patients with predicted severe AP using voltammetry will enable early diagnosis of oxidative stress (marker of OF).
Specific aims & objectives: To map changes in plasma OS through the patient’s admission with severe AP and to demonstrate that VLM changes early and correlates with AP severity and complications, as well as markers of OF.
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
26/WA/0030
Date of REC Opinion
4 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion