Oxford Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Study - OxAAA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Multimodal Assessment of Aortic Aneurysm Disease Pathogenesis: Oxford Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Study - OxAAA
IRAS ID
122591
Contact name
Ashok Handa
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Research summary
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common pathology which can result in rupture and high related mortality. It remains an important cause of death in developed countries. Despite the intensive research and insight derived from animal models, the pathophysiologic mechanisms governing AAA progression in humans remain incompletely explained. Currently, aneurysm size remains the best criterion for recommending surgery in large AAAs. This has clear shortcomings, as aneurysm size is not an absolute predictor of aneurysm expansion and risk of rupture. There is a clear need to identify better methods for risk stratification. Given that AAA is a multi-factorial process involving various overlapping pathways, it is increasingly recognised that an integrated approach that takes into consideration biochemical, biomechanical and genetic processes involved is required for the investigation of such a complex disease.
This project aims to improve our understanding of underlying pathophysiology of aneurysm progression by combining the information from comprehensive blood/tissue molecular profiling (from blood and/or tissue samples collected from participants), and biomechanical assessment of the blood vessels by functional imaging in the participants. This multi-modal assessment model may ultimately lead to identification of new risk stratification strategies.
This is a single center study at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, and will be funded by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Center.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/SC/0250
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion