GAE for OA knee in Wales

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Genicular Artery Embolisation as a minimally invasive intervention to manage patients with mild-moderate osteoarthritis of the knee – setting up a new innovative service for Welsh patients.

  • IRAS ID

    315730

  • Contact name

    Nimit Goyal

  • Contact email

    nimit.goyal@wales.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Aneurin Bevan University Hospital

  • ISRCTN Number

    ISRCTN82978621

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 2 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered a condition of MSK pain with approximately 450,000 individuals living with OA in Wales (Versus Arthritis OA Calculator). Mild to moderate knee OA, not yet severe enough to warrant joint replacement, and resistant to nonsurgical options, represents a specific management challenge. Current treatment options include physiotherapy and drug interventions.
    The pathogenesis of OA appears to be multi-faceted, with angiogenesis borne out of inflammatory processes theorised to play a significant role in the OA-associated pain. Geniculate artery embolization (GAE) is an Interventional Radiology procedure that aims to relieve pain related to OA by embolising the pathological new vessels while maintaining the larger vascular supply to the bone. It is done as a day case using local anaesthesia. A catheter is passed in the femoral artery and then angiography is performed to identify the blood vessels supplying the area of increased vascularity. Once the abnormal new vessels are identified, a microcatheter is navigated into them under X-ray guidance. Tiny embolization particles are then delivered to the area of increased vascularity until the blood flow is stopped. GAE is the focused embolization the pathological neovessels, with preservation of the genicular artery.
    This project looks to explore the effectiveness of this novel interventional radiological procedure, genicular artery embolization, as a treatment option to reduce pain and improve joint mobility and overall quality of life and wellbeing in those patients living with mild- moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. As the first known study in Wales to investigate the potential benefits of this embolization procedure, it is hoped this study will realise the benefits of this intervention and lead ultimately to widespread adoption within Wales.

  • REC name

    East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/EM/0239

  • Date of REC Opinion

    17 Nov 2022

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion