Non-Invasive Coronary Thrombus Imaging in Acute Myocardial Infarction

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Non-Invasive Coronary Thrombus Imaging to define the cause of Acute Myocardial Infarction

• IRAS ID

  331122

• Contact name

  David Newby

• Contact email

  d.e.newby@ed.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Edinburgh

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 3 months, 3 days

• Research summary

  We now have very sensitive blood tests that can pick up damage to the heart and find patients who have had a heart attack. However, whilst this is welcome, it does not identify what causes the heart attack and can sometimes pick up other conditions that cause a strain on the heart.

  The classic cause of a heart attack is when a blood clot forms on fatty deposits within the heart arteries. This leads to treating patients with blood thinning medication, and this is very effective and saves lives. However, many apparent heart attacks are not caused by blood clots and some may be caused by blood clots but pass unrecognised.

  In this proposal, we will test an exciting new imaging test that can 'see' from outside the body whether there is a blood clot in the heart arteries. This could provide a major new way of assessing patients to ensure they get the right diagnosis and the right treatment. This could ultimately improve the outcomes of or patients with heart attacks.

  We will recruit 80 patients in total who have recently been diagnosed with a heart attack from the cardiology department at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The research team will review patient’s medical records to determine eligibility for the study.

  The research study involves participants undertaking the following research procedures and assessments:

  1. A combined Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scan of the heart
  2. Ultrasound scan of the heart (Echocardiogram)
  3. MRI scan of the heart
  4. A blood test - a total of up to four tablespoons (60 mL) of blood will be taken for immediate testing and the remaining blood will be stored for future ethically
  approved studies
  5. A follow up questionnaire 6 -12 months following the heart attack

• REC name

  North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1

• REC reference

  24/NS/0006

• Date of REC Opinion

  28 Jan 2024

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion