Effects of Remote Ischaemic Preconditioning in patients with PVD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pilot Study Examining the Effects of Remote Ischaemic Preconditioning on Endothelial Function and Arterial Stiffness on the Lower Limbs of Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
IRAS ID
239280
Contact name
Faisel Khan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Dundee
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
'Examining the Effects of Remote Ischaemic Preconditioning on Endothelial Function and Arterial Stiffness on the Lower Limbs of Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease'
Lack of blood flow (ischaemia) is responsible for conditions such as heart attacks or peripheral vascular disease, where walking causes leg pain. This is usually caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). The endothelium (inner lining of blood vessel) has a vital role in this process. Potential improvements in how the endothelium functions can lead to an improvement in atherosclerosis. It has been shown that when blood flow in an artery is occluded for a short period of time, a response within the body occurs which protects against further episodes of ischaemia. This phenomenon is called ischaemic preconditioning. Remote ischaemic preconditioning(RIPC) is when occluding one artery in the body creates these protective effects in other arteries of the body.
We will perform RIPC on three groups of participants, a control group, a group with smoking as a risk factor for peripheral vascular disease(PVD) and another group with diagnosed PVD. Patients will be eligible if they are an adult with capacity to consent to participation in the study. Participants will be recruited from service users and staff at Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee. RIPC will be induced by asking participants, whilst at their homes, to inflate a standard blood pressure(BP) cuff to for a period of 5 minutes and then deflate for another 5 minutes. This cycle will be performed 4 times for 7 consecutive days. Participants will have a blood sample taken before and after RIPC. Endothelial function will be measured by placing probes, similar to an ultrasound probe, on patient’s arms and legs. This will be done before and after the RIPC.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0142
Date of REC Opinion
6 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion