SMARTPHONE COMPATIBLE THERMOGRAPHY FOR ASSESSMENT OF ARTERIAL DISEASE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Comparison of a smartphone compatible thermal imaging camera with exercise ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) in patients with suspected peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
IRAS ID
227634
Contact name
Darren Hart
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 9 days
Research summary
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition that causes narrowing and obstruction of the arteries, thereby reducing blood flow, usually to the lower limbs. Although often symptomless, PAD can lead to leg pain during exercise, skin ulceration and limb loss.
The ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) involves measuring the blood pressure at the ankle and comparing it to blood pressure in the arm and has long been the foundation for PAD diagnosis. However, it is a technically challenging investigation and can be prone to large measurement variation when performed by unskilled practitioners. There is a need for a reliable alternative to the ABPI for assessing PAD.Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-contact method of measuring temperature. Published literature investigating medical uses of IRT have shown good agreement between skin temperature and blood flow in a number of clinical settings. Despite this, prohibitively large and costly cameras have prevented more widespread use. However in recent years, IRT cameras have become more affordable, portable and potentially accessible for clinical use.
This research aims to investigate whether temperature measurements, made by a smartphone compatible, thermal imaging camera (the FLIR One) correlate with pressure measurements taken during a routine vascular assessment. We aim to recruit patients who are referred to the Vascular Studies Unit at the Royal United Hospital Bath for an exercise ABPI test. We will capture thermal images of the limbs before and after a simple walking test and observe if temperature measurements correlate with pressure measurements.
We hypothesise that impairment of blood flow in the presence of PAD will result in a temperature reduction of the effected limb(s) during exercise, in line with ABPI change. If proved correct, this technology may offer a cheap, portable and relatively easy to use method of assessment, which can complement ABPI, in the diagnosis of PAD.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0161
Date of REC Opinion
7 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion