CRAFT-CTCA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment for Kidney Transplantation - Utility of Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in the Assessment of Patients awaiting Kidney Transplantation
IRAS ID
330798
Contact name
Neeraj Dhaun
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
7 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Kidney disease affects 1 in 10 people worldwide and heart disease is its commonest complication. The risk of heart disease is greatest in patients with kidney failure, especially those patients on dialysis. Kidney transplantation is the only treatment that restores kidney function. It also reduces the risk of heart disease. However, heart disease remains the commonest cause of death in patients with a kidney transplant.
Currently, we have no reliable methods of knowing which patients with kidney failure are at highest risk of heart disease following a transplant. In the UK and worldwide, there is no agreement on how the risk of future heart disease should be assessed in those patients waiting for a kidney transplant.
This study will use a heart scan known as computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA). Previous research has shown in patients without kidney failure, features on this scan predicted which patients were at highest risk of future heart disease. This study aims to assess whether CTCA can do the same in patients with kidney failure who are waiting for a kidney transplant.
Patients on the kidney transplant waiting list across Scotland will be suitable for inclusion in the study. The only patients excluded will be those who cannot have a CT scan (e.g., allergy to contrast, pregnant) or those patients being considered for simultaneous kidney-pancreas, kidney-liver and kidney-islet transplantation.
Patients in the study will be invited to attend for a CTCA scan. We will then monitor their health remotely for approximately 5 years to identify which patients develop heart disease.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SW/0107
Date of REC Opinion
14 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion