RIC in COVID-19 [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
CAN REMOTE ISCHAEMIC CONDITIONING REDUCE INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS - A RANDOMISED PILOT STUDY
IRAS ID
282849
Contact name
Derek Yellon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2020/04/43 , UCL Data Protection Registration Number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 4 days
Research summary
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in late 2019 and has since been diagnosed in over a million persons worldwide. As this virus progresses, it causes an extreme and uncontrolled response from the patient’s immune system accompanied by reduced oxygen flow to major organs, known as ischaemia-reperfusion injury. \n\nThe current treatment of COVID-19 is largely supportive without any cure or vaccine available at this time. Developing new methods to reduce this heightened inflammatory response is essential to halting progression of COVID-19 in patients and reducing the severity of damage.\n\nThe cellular mechanisms seen in COVID-19 are similar to those seen in patients with sepsis. A process known as Remote Ischemic Conditioning (RIC) is an intervention which has been shown to prevent cellular injury including those associated with sepsis. Based on the evidence from studies looking at sepsis, it is anticipated the same benefit would be seen in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. \n\nRIC is a simple, non-invasive procedure where a blood pressure cuff is applied to the arm for repeated cycles of inflating and deflating (typically 3-5 cycles of 5 minutes each). This process activates pro-survival mechanisms in the body to protect vital organs and improve the immune system.\nTherefore, we believe it represents an exciting strategy to protect organs against reduced blood flow and extreme immune response, as seen in COVID-19 infections. \n\nThe Hatter Cardiovascular Institute at UCL has been involved in basic & clinical research for the past 3 decades and has pioneered our understanding of the mechanisms associated with RIC and protection of organs such as the heart, kidneys and brain from injury. \n
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SC/0192
Date of REC Opinion
22 Apr 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion