Does cardiopulmonary bypass change olfaction?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does cardiopulmonary bypass change olfaction?
IRAS ID
145685
Contact name
Atef El-Kholy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Central Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
14/NW/0085, Proportionate Review under Category 8 with GM East REC; 14/NW/1083, Proportionate Review under Category 8 with GM East REC
Research summary
The loss of the sense of smell, anosmia, can have profound effects on the lives of those who suffer from it. In our clinical practice, we have encountered several patients complaining of anosmia after recently undergoing surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. We want to investigate this peculiar observation and determine if such a link exists. Thus far, there have been no similar studies published, and as such, no previous evidence on this matter. This study will help formalise and clarify these observations, empowering clinicians to better inform patients in the future; if cardiopulmonary bypass procedures do carry a risk of anosmia.
This would be a prospective, single-centre, observational study. We plan to recruit 50 adult participants who are having elective surgery requiring a cardiopulmonary bypass procedure. This study will only be carried out in a single site: Manchester Royal Infirmary.
We plan to assess each participant's smell sense twice: pre- and postoperatively. This will be conducted using a short questionnaire and a quick smell assessment kit called 'Sniffin Sticks'. This consists of 12 pen-like odour dispensers, each of which are presented to the patient, who are then asked to best-guess what the smell is. None of the odours in the kit are offensive and the whole process usually takes 4 minutes.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/1110
Date of REC Opinion
26 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion