Angiogenesis in Cerebral AVMs

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Angiogenesis in cerebral arteriovenous malformations

  • IRAS ID

    227479

  • Contact name

    Hiren Patel

  • Contact email

    hiren.patel@srft.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Manchester

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    Sponsor's reference number, NHS001375

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    Why? This project will assess if patients with arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in their brain have abnormal blood vessel growth. The condition is rare but can cause significant disability, particularly in young people. Early diagnosis and an improved understanding of the underlying causes could lead to targeted treatments which could reduce the risk of complications and improve outcome for patients.

    What? A cerebral arteriovenous malformation (cAVM) is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain. Sometimes, a cAVM can rupture and cause a haemorrhage (a bleed in the brain), which can lead to death or significant disability. Previous research has shown that a growth factor called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) might play an important role in the development of a cAVM, as it is thought to encourage abnormal growth of blood vessels. This process, known as angiogenesis has not been well studied in relation to cAVMs.

    Who / Where? No new patients will be recruited. We plan to look at existing clinical records of all patients who were referred to Salford Royal NHS Foundation Hospital with an untreated cAVM between 2009 and 2017 contained within a clinical database held by the neurosurgical team. Only the data for patients who underwent an angiogram (x-ray of blood flow) when they came into hospital will be included in the study in allow us to answer the following questions:

    • How many patients who were admitted with a cAVM were diagnosed with angiogenesis?
    • Was angiogenesis more likely in people who had also suffered a brain haemorrhage?
    • Do clinicians agree on how to diagnose angiogenesis?

    How? The study is expected to take approximately six months to complete.

  • REC name

    London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/LO/0856

  • Date of REC Opinion

    13 Jun 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion