RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

CMR Right Ventricular Contractile Reserve Following Lung Resection

This research aims to understand how lung surgery for cancer affects the right side of your heart. We believe that after removing part of a lung, the right side of the heart might work less efficiently, especially under stress. This could then affect a person's ability to be active. We will use a special heart scan called a Dobutamine stress CMR, both before and after lung surgery, to see if the heart's function changes. We're also checking blood markers to see if the heart muscles are affected during surgery, comparing different types of major operations to understand what causes any changes. The goal is to make lung surgery safer and improve recovery for patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Enrolment target

Start

21 Jul 2023

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2024

Lung Cancer Surgery Anesthesia

What is this study about?

Imagine your heart has a right side and a left side. The right side is like a pump that sends blood to your lungs to pick up oxygen. When you have surgery to remove part of a lung, especially for lung cancer, it changes how your body works. This study wants to find out if removing part of a lung makes the right side of your heart work harder or less efficiently. We think that even small changes might become noticeable when your heart is put under a little bit of stress.

To check this, we'll use a special type of heart scan called a Dobutamine stress CMR. This scan is like taking detailed pictures of your heart while a medication called Dobutamine makes your heart beat a little faster, similar to when you exercise. We'll do these scans before and after your lung surgery. This will help us understand if your heart's ability to cope with activity (we call this 'contractile reserve') changes after surgery.

We're also looking at blood tests. During certain surgeries, especially those involving the chest, only one lung might be used for breathing for a while. We want to see if this, or the surgery itself, causes any minor stress to the heart muscle. By comparing patients having different types of major surgeries (like stomach or food pipe operations), we hope to pinpoint what directly affects the heart's health.

Key takeaways

The study explores how lung surgery affects the heart.
It uses special heart scans (Dobutamine stress CMR) before and after surgery.
Blood tests will check for any heart stress during surgery.
The aim is to improve understanding of heart changes after lung surgery.
Participation will not change your planned medical treatment.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for volunteers who are having certain planned surgeries. To take part, you need to be over 16 years old. We are specifically looking for people who are having a type of lung surgery called a lobectomy (where a lobe, or section, of the lung is removed), or operations on the food pipe (oesophagectomy) or stomach (gastrectomy).

However, there are reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are pregnant, or if you already have certain heart conditions like a very fast or irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), or serious high blood pressure, you wouldn't be able to participate. You also can't join if you have metal in your body that isn't safe for an MRI scan, such as certain pacemakers or metal clips. The study also excludes some specific, smaller types of lung surgery, or if the whole lung is removed (pneumonectomy).

If you're unsure whether you fit the criteria, it's always best to discuss it with your surgical team or the study doctor. They can give you clear advice based on your individual health.

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 having a lobectomy, oesophagectomy, or gastrectomy?
Are you over 16 years old?
Are you NOT pregnant?
Do you NOT have certain serious heart conditions (like uncontrolled irregular heartbeat)?
Do you NOT have metal in your body that prevents MRI scans (like a pacemaker or aneurysm clips)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will have a special heart scan called a Dobutamine stress CMR both before your lung surgery and again a few months after. This scan involves lying in a scanner while a special medication (Dobutamine) is given to make your heart work a little harder. You will also have some blood samples taken at different times around your surgery. You won't be given any new medications for your heart as part of the study; the focus is on imaging and blood tests. There will be multiple visits for assessments before and after your operation. The total duration of your participation, from your first scan to your last follow-up, will be several months.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer a small benefit by providing extra monitoring of your heart health around your surgery. However, the main benefit is to future patients, as the information we gather will help us better understand how to care for people undergoing lung surgery. There are some risks associated with the Dobutamine stress CMR scan, such as temporary chest discomfort or changes in blood pressure, and there are very small risks associated with blood draws. You will be closely monitored by medical staff during the scans. Every participant has the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Verified postcode
Belfast, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a Dobutamine stress CMR?

It's a special type of heart scan that takes detailed pictures of your heart while a medication called Dobutamine is given. This medication makes your heart beat a little faster, similar to exercise, to see how it works under stress.

Why is my heart being scanned if I have lung cancer?

Lung surgery can sometimes affect the heart. We want to see if removing part of a lung changes how the right side of your heart functions, which could impact your recovery and daily activities.

Will taking part affect my cancer treatment?

No, your cancer treatment plan will not be changed by participating in this study. The study adds extra tests to gather more information, but your medical care remains the same.

Are there any extra medicines I'll have to take?

No new medicines will be given for your heart as part of this study. The Dobutamine is given only during the scan to temporarily increase your heart rate, and is not a long-term medication.

What if I change my mind about participating?

You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting the medical care you receive.

How to find out more

Adam Glass

a.glass@qub.ac.uk +442890976378 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.