Extract

Background and study aims An important minority of patients develop complications after surgery. These complications can include infections, heart attacks, heart damage and damage to other organs, such as the kidney or brain. It is thought that it may be possible to predict which patients will go on to develop these complications before they undergo surgery. Such knowledge would allow doctors to take steps to reduce the medical risks of surgery. It would also aid the development of future trials of different treatments aimed at reducing said risks. While we are aware of some of the reasons why complications are more likely to happen in some people after surgery, there are a number of potential factors that may increase the risk that are, as yet, not fully understood. Here, we are looking at how the brain controls the heart and immune system after surgery. In healthy people, the brain carefully controls how parts of the nervous system help control inflammation and heart function. After surgery, this control system can change and may contribute to the body not being able to heal or recover as well or as quickly as expected. By measuring nervous system and heart function, we will identify patterns that are linked to patients developing complications that cause problems with their recovery after surgery. Who can participate? All adult patients aged 18-95 referred for cardiopulmonary exercise testing (an exercise test that examines how the lungs, heart and muscles work) before undergoing major non-cardiac (i.e. not involving the heart) surgery What does the study involve? As part of the medical assessment process before major surgery, some patients have a cardiopulmonary exercise test. The aim of this test is to see how physically fit the patient is as well as other medical information. This can help doctors develop a treatment plan tailored to the needs of the patient. Each patient is asked to give a blood sample for analysis and their heart rate (ECG) measured before, during and after the exercise test. All patients are monitored throughout their hospital stay. Data about how they recover after surgery and their medical condition is recorded on days 3, 5, 7 and 14 after surgery. This study is observational, meaning that there are no changes to the medical or surgical treatment of patients involved. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? There are no disadvantages/risks of taking part. The information we receive from this study may help us to treat patients who are having surgery in the future. Where is the study run from? University College London (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? March 2013 to March 2015 Who is funding the study? Academy of Medical Sciences (UK) Centre for Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management (UK) Who is the main contact? Dr Gareth Ackland (See contact details below)

Inclusion criteria

• Topic: Generic Health Relevance and Cross Cutting Themes; Subtopic: Generic Health Relevance (all Subtopics); Disease: Surgery, Anaesthetics

Links

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