MIIC-MI [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Multi-modality Imaging & Immunophenotyping of COVID-19 Related Myocardial Injury (MIIC-MI)
IRAS ID
284391
Contact name
Jason Tarkin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Up to 30% of patients treated for COVID-19 in hospitals have been found to have an abnormal blood test, called troponin. A raised troponin level is a sign of heart disease. In COVID-19, the presence of a raised troponin level is associated with significantly higher rates of intensive care admission and death. However, the main cause of troponin elevation in patients with COVID-19 is unknown. \n\nSeveral underlying heart conditions can result in troponin elevation. The most common causes in patients without COVID-19 are heart attacks, caused by blockages of the main arteries supplying the heart, and inflammation of the heart muscle occurring because of an infection or another cause called, ’myocarditis’. In some people, troponin can also be abnormal because of a severe systemic illness without direct involvement of the heart. Thus far, there have only been isolated case reports and case series published in the medical literature to describe the causes of heart involvement in COVID-19. \n\nCurrently, in the absence of overt heart disease requiring emergency inpatient cardiology care, the underlying cause of a raised troponin level in many patients may not be immediately investigated due to pressures on healthcare systems. In this study, we will invite up to 20 patients with evidence of heart disease based on an abnormal troponin test to undergo comprehensive inpatient cardiac testing with magnetic resonance imaging of the heart ± other adjunct cardiac imaging tests to determine the underlying cause of the abnormal blood test. Theses imaging tests will be performed alongside detailed characterisation of blood markers of inflammation and clotting to better understand the prevailing mechanisms of heart disease in COVID-19. \n\nThis study will lead to a better understanding of why mortality rates are higher in patients with COVID-19 and troponin elevation than those without, and help to inform future research and therapies. \n\n\n [Study relying on COPI notice]
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SW/0090
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion