Role of inflammation and GDF-15 in plaque erosion ACS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Prospective, single-centre study for the role of inflammation and Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) in plaque erosion in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using intravascular imaging techniques
IRAS ID
331792
Contact name
Ingrid E. Dumitriu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Heart attacks (also known as acute coronary syndrome, ACS) remain the leading cause of death worldwide despite considerable progress in diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Heart attack is caused by the rupture or erosion of fatty deposits (atherosclerotic plaques) in the wall of heart arteries (coronary arteries) that supply the heart muscle with blood. Inflammation, a process that is part of our body’s responses to injuries, promotes the erosion or rupture of fatty plaques and heart attacks. We are studying how inflammatory cells and the molecules they produce (inflammatory markers) contribute to the erosion or rupture of plaques and heart attacks. Depending on their structure, some plaques are more vulnerable to erosion or rupture. We are studying how the plaque structure associates with changes in inflammatory cells and markers, including growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) which has been suggested to predict death rates in heart attacks. A new technique, called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), is commonly used in patients who have fatty plaques in heart arteries. OCT is carried out as part of the routine clinical management of heart attack or evaluation of chest pain (angina) during procedures used to investigate (coronary angiogram) and treat (angioplasty) the plaques. OCT allows clinicians to differentiate between stable plaques, plaque erosion and plaque rupture, which provides information on the best treatment options. To understand the changes in inflammatory cells and markers (including GDF-15) that differentiate between stable plaques, eroded plaques and ruptured plaques, a blood sample will be collected at the same time of OCT. This blood sample will be used to quantify inflammatory cells and markers by researchers at the University of Birmingham. Correlation between inflammation and plaque structure, if established, may provide a basis for new treatments that target inflammation to improve management and outcomes in patients with heart attacks.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/YH/0209
Date of REC Opinion
6 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion