Proximal Aortopathy in Scotland - Epidemiology and Surgical Outcomes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Investigation into the Epidemiology and Surgical Intervention for Proximal Aortic Disease in Scotland
IRAS ID
309277
Contact name
George Gradinariu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Golden Jubilee Research Department
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05389865
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The aorta is the principal arterial vessel arising from the left heart that transfers blood to the body. Certain genetic and familial disease processes are known to weaken the aortic wall resulting in dilation and potential rupture. These aortic complications carry high mortality (>25%) and current management is orientated towards early detection and preventive treatment. Aortic dilation can also result in aortic valve dysfunction leading to heart failure. The estimated UK incidence of aortic disease per year is around 10 per 100,000 individuals, with 2000 people per year dying from aortic complications.
The 2017-2020 National Adult Cardiac Surgery Audit report identified the number of people receiving surgery for aortic dissection in Scotland is per population proportionately lower compared to England (4.6 per million per year in Scotland vs. 6.6 per million per year in England). The reasons for this are unclear but may relate to the prevalence of aortic disease or a large geographic distribution with compromised access to specialized centres.
Currently surgery is recommended when the aortic diameter exceeds a certain threshold. There are several types of effective surgical procedures, but there is still limited information on their long-term outcomes and the advantage of one procedure over another.
The aims of our project are firstly to determine the clinical outcomes of the surgical procedures that are currently employed in Scotland to treat aortic disease and secondly to describe the prevalence and distribution of aortic disease within the Scottish population. The project will be hosted by the Golden Jubilee National Hospital Research Department and will collect contemporary and retrospective data from all the Scottish Cardiothoracic Surgery units based in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. We believe our study will benefit the Scottish population by informing practice, optimizing resource allocation and service provision by facilitating prompt diagnosis and equitable access to treatment.REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
22/WS/0098
Date of REC Opinion
20 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion