MRI scan to investigate micro bleeds in thrombocytopenic patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can we detect subclinical brain micro haemorrhages in patients with thrombocytopenia using susceptibility-sensitive MRI in order to better direct treatment?
IRAS ID
36431
Contact name
Nichola Cooper
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Research summary
Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) can be caused when patients have received chemotherapy or by the immune system attacking the platelets (a condition called Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura). Platelets are essential to form blood clots and to stop bleeding. However, it is still not known exactly how many platelets are needed to stop or to prevent serious bleeding. Over the last few years, there has been a trend towards not treating patients unless they have very low platelet counts. This has not been shown to result in an increase in serious bleeds. Interestingly, it may have improved the quality of life for patients by avoiding treatments such as platelet transfusions, steroids or immunosuppressive therapy. However, the long-term consequences of persistently low platelet counts are not yet known to the desired extent.
We intend to assess whether small bleeds are occurring inside the brain of thrombocytopenic patients, in correlation to their specific low platelet counts, and to establish, study and quantify the degree and extent of that possible relationship. We propose that it may be possible to determine a certain platelet value above which bleeds will not normally be expected to occur and thus treatment should therefore not be considered.
To this end we will utilise a specialised MRI scan of the brain, which can detect very small bleeds in the brain.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1365
Date of REC Opinion
24 Sep 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion