VALID-PET-CT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development and Validation of a Fast, Semi-Automated Hybrid Imaging Platform to Assess Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Morphology, Endothelial Shear Stress and Arterial Inflammation: A Proof of Principle Study
IRAS ID
252584
Contact name
Christos Bourantas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Barts Health NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Imaging the inside of coronary arteries (intravascular imaging) offers great insight into the assessment and treatment of coronary artery disease. Over time, substances such as fat, cholesterol and calcium can build up into ‘plaques’ in the arteries, causing narrowings or even blockages. These plaques can also rupture, causing cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes. By using ultrasound and infrared technology, intravascular imaging can help assess these plaques, however this is an invasive technique involving angiography.
Another indicator of plaque morphology and stability is endothelial shear stress (ESS) and arterial inflammation. We have pioneered novel non-invasive methods for modelling ESS using computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA), as well as imaging coronary arterial inflammation using a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Before embarking upon a large-scale clinical outcome study to determine whether the combined assessment of plaque morphology, ESS and arterial inflammation can improve risk prediction, we need to perform a proof-of-principle study to further develop our methodology for hybrid image analysis, and to validate this technique against high-resolution intravascular imaging as a surrogate marker of histology.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1086
Date of REC Opinion
23 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion