Right Heart Injury Monitoring on ECMO
This study is investigating how to best keep an eye on the right side of the heart in patients who are very ill with severe lung problems. These patients are supported by a life support machine called VV-ECMO, which helps their lungs rest and recover. The study aims to find out if it's practical to use a consistent monitoring approach for the right heart. This involves performing heart scans (echocardiograms) and specific blood tests (hs-troponin and NT-proBNP) twice a week, in addition to their usual care. By doing this, researchers hope to learn more about how the heart is coping while the lungs are healing, potentially helping doctors provide even better care in the future.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When someone is very poorly with serious lung problems, sometimes their lungs need a lot of help to recover. This is where a special life support machine called VV-ECMO (which stands for Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) comes in. Think of it as a temporary bypass machine for your lungs; it takes over their work, allowing your own lungs time to heal. This study is focusing on patients who are on this VV-ECMO machine because their lungs are severely injured and not working properly.
The main aim of this study is to look closely at the right side of the heart in these patients. The right side of the heart has to work extra hard when the lungs are struggling. Doctors want to understand if they can consistently monitor the right heart's health using specific tools. They are trying to find out if a regular monitoring plan can give them important information about how the heart is coping during this very challenging time. This knowledge could help doctors provide better care in the future for people needing this life-saving support.
To do this, patients in the study will have some extra tests done. These include heart scans (called echocardiograms) and specific blood tests, which will be done twice a week. These tests are not new; doctors already use them. What's new is doing them regularly and systematically in this group of patients. The study isn't changing how doctors treat the patient's main illness; it's simply adding more detailed monitoring to learn more.
Key takeaways
- This study helps doctors learn more about the heart while on life support.
- It involves regular, safe heart scans and blood tests.
- Participation does not change current medical treatment.
- Results could improve care for future patients with serious lung illness.
- You can stop participating at any time without affecting your care.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for adult patients, meaning they must be 18 years old or older.
To join, patients must have started on the VV-ECMO life support machine within the last 72 hours (that's three days). This could be because they were moved to the hospital where the study is happening (RPH) from another hospital, or they were already a patient there.
Patients cannot join if they are under 18, have been in this study before, or are on VV-ECMO for reasons other than severe lung failure (like after certain heart surgeries, as a bridge to a lung transplant, or after a lung transplant). Also, for important safety and consent reasons, patients (or the person who makes decisions for them) need to be able to speak and understand English fluently.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Have you started on the VV-ECMO machine in the last 3 days?
- Are you on VV-ECMO because your lungs are very sick?
- Do you (or your decision-maker) understand English well enough to talk about the study?
What does participation involve?
If you or your loved one takes part in this study, it means some extra checks will be done alongside the usual medical care. Twice a week, while on the VV-ECMO machine, there will be:
* **Heart scans:** A simple, painless scan of the heart, like an ultrasound, called an echocardiogram. * **Blood tests:** A small sample of blood will be taken to check for specific markers (hs-troponin and NT-proBNP) that can tell doctors about heart strain.
There are no extra medications involved with this study. Participation lasts for as long as the patient needs the VV-ECMO life support machine. Once the machine is removed, one final heart scan will be done about two days later. The total duration depends on how long the patient needs the VV-ECMO.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeCambridge, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is VV-ECMO?
VV-ECMO is a special life support machine that temporarily takes over the work of your lungs, giving them time to rest and heal when they are severely injured.
What does 'right heart injury' mean?
It means the right side of the heart might be under strain or not working as well as it should. This can happen when the lungs are very sick.
Are the tests painful?
The heart scan (echocardiogram) is like an ultrasound and is painless. The blood tests involve a small needle stick, similar to any other blood test.
Will my treatment change if I join?
No, this study only adds extra monitoring. Your medical team will continue to provide the best standard care for your condition.
How long will I be in the study?
You'll be in the study for as long as you are on the VV-ECMO machine, plus one final heart scan about two days after it's removed.
How to find out more
Ana Francisca Caetano
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
Community discussion
Powered by our forum at community.patient.info. Please be respectful — this is not medical advice.