Clinical trials

A randomised controlled clinical trial to assess efficacy of convergent ablation with the LARIAT procedure, as compared to standard endocardial catheter ablation in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

The research is aimed at identifying new predisposition genes for endocrine tumours. Our focus initially is on pituitary adenomas including growth hormone-secreting tumors (somatotrophinomas) and prolactin secreting tumours (prolactinomas), but we wish to extend work to other pituitary tumour cases/families. The recruitment process will be as follows. 1. We will recruit patients from our own Endocrine outpatient clinics and inpatient wards. In addition we will ask colleagues in other Endocrinology Departments (or other specialties such as Clinical Genetics,Pathology, General Medicine ) to identify potentially suitable patients with endocrine \& pituitary tumours from their records. We shall focus on patients with good evidence of inheritance of their condition: relatively early onset; or multiple lesions; or other affected family members. Conditions where the predisposing genes have been identified (principally MEN) will be excluded from study. Patients directly contacting us can also enter the study. 2. The Consultant looking after the patient will contact the patient to initially inform him/her of the study. 3. We will then contact the patient (generally by telephone) to discuss the study and what it would entail in terms of information and samples. 4. Subject to agreement in (3), patient will receive 'Information Sheet for patients with pituitary tumour' and 'Consent Form' and will have blood sampling in Consultant's clinic. 5. We will contact additional family members (if appropriate) after an initial approach by the family member already recruited to the study. The additional family members may have developed tumours similar to those of the proband, or may be unaffected individuals who provide useful information for gene identification purposes (for example, spouses may greatly aid the power of gene mapping by linkage. They will receive the "Information Sheet for family members". analysis). 8\. Archival tissue will be obtained from HTA licensed tissue banks. This is an established bank whose licence is primarily for diagnosis but can be used for research. 9. We will undertake laboratory work, such as genetic linkage analysis, candidate gene mutation screening and studies of loss of heterozygosity in tumours, to identify the genes predisposing to the condition, such as the AIP gene. In addition we would like to screen other genes related to the chaperon AIP molecule, such as AhR, and other genes currently identified (PDE4A5, survivin and Tom20 protein) or may not been identified. Blood samples for DNA and RNA will coded with unique ID numbers. Pituitary and other endocrine tumour samples will be collected at surgery and kept in liquid nitrogen or -80 C. They will be coded with unique ID numbers. Candidate gene sequencing will be performed in the Barts and the London Medical School Genome Centre. RNA expression studies from blood or adenoma tissue samples will be performed by RT-PCR. Protein expression studies will be performed by Western blotting or immunohistochemistry. The first gene we wish to study causes familial acromegaly, a disease resulting from a pituitary adenoma secreting growth hormone. To establish if the candidate gene is also causing possibly sporadic (not familial) cases of the disease, samples (blood and tissue) will be collected from patients with sporadic disease and will be analysed as above.

To quantify genetic variants in a focused DCM gene panel among AF-induced cardiomyopathy (AIC) and positive/negative controls

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia with an expected rise in prevalence over the next decade. Catheter ablation is a safe treatment option in eliminating AF however, success rates still remains variable. Existing strategies do not take into account the differences in AF perpetuation mechanisms beyond the pulmonary veins (PVs) due to the underlying substrate. Here, I will investigate the differences in persistent AF mechanisms due to the underlying substrate and utilise these findings to generate AF mechanism specific ablation strategies. I have defined a new metric, rate-dependent conduction velocity (RDCV) slowing that has shown to correlate with sites of re-entry activity in AF. In this study, techniques and methods will be developed to measure RDCV slowing sites. The impact autonomic modulation has on AF mechanisms and CV dynamics will also be assessed. The hypothesis is that a combination of structural, electrical and autonomic remodelling play an important mechanistic role in persistent AF and ablation strategies adapted to target these will result in greater procedural success rate. The study findings have the potential to improve the success rate of catheter ablation in persistent AF thereby improve patient wellbeing and reduce the cost burden of AF treatment.

This is a prospective randomized study to investigate the yield of continuous electroencephalogram (cEEG), as a diagnostic tool in intensive care unit (ICU), for patients with refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and the contribution of this test to the patient final outcome, compared with standard medical care. Specifically, the hypothesis is that the use of cEEG for patients with RSE will significantly reduce the length of in-hospital stay, mortality, and subsequent complications (such as infections or pressure ulcers). It is also predicted that quality of life will be higher following cEEG at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months after discharge. As there are currently no data available from previous studies assessing the impact of cEEG on markers of the final clinical outcome in patients with RSE, this study is going to start as a feasibility study, aiming to obtain initial data for the primary outcome measure, in order to perform a sample size calculation for a larger future trial. The pilot study will also assess the integrity of the study protocol, specifically the recruitment process and the consent procedure, and also determine the necessary costs for running a cEEG service in ICU for patients with RSE

CAPTIVATE is a multi-center translational and observational trial, that aims to investigate the impact of the gut microbiome on treatment outcomes in women with untreated, stage I-III Triple Negative undergoing neoadjuvant treatment with and without immune checkpoint inhibitors. As part of the trial, stool samples, core tumors biopsies and research bloods samples for the analysis will be collected at various points of the study.

This study aims to characterise the stability of crestal bone levels one year after loading, the associated aesthetic outcomes, immunological response, prosthodontic outcomes as well as overall patient reported outcome measures for modSLA (SLActive, Institut Straumann AG, Switzerland) and NGA (TiUltraNP, Nobel Biocare AG, Switzerland) dental implants.

A prospective, observational cohort study designed to identify clinical phenotypes and evaluate predictors \& outcomes of functional mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation in patients with atrial fibrillation. Participant will under go: * Baseline echocardiography * Cpex Echocardiography * Blood test: BNP * 1 year follow up Echocardiography Participants will be stratified into three subgroups: * Atrial Functional MR * Atrial Functional TR * Mixed MR \& TR

This is a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial conducted at St Bartholomew's Hospital, John Radcliff Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospital, and Kings College London Hospital. The aim is to evaluate the benefits in health status from transcatheter edge to edge repair with the TriClip device in patients with severe or more symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation. A total of 150 patients will be recruited in a 1:1 ratio for TriClip or placebo. The primary endpoint of this study (change in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire between the treatment and placebo arm) will be analysed using a linear mixed model and compared between patients who receive the TriClip versus those who have a placebo procedure. Study duration: 3 years

This study will assess whether more frequent measurement of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) - specifically health related quality of life (HRQL) - can improve the evaluation of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). It is designed to have feasibility outcomes which contribute to answering the above.

The goal of this observational study is to demonstrate that nutritional status and body composition have an impact on clinical outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The main objectives are: 1. To compare the detection rates of undernutrition between a range of nutritional screening tools, physiological measures and assessment tools amongst patients with different IBD phenotypes 2. To correlate nutritional status, nutritional biomarkers and body composition with clinical outcomes in patients with IBD treated with advanced medical therapy or surgery 3. To determine a potential relationship between radiological muscle mass measurements and clinical outcomes in patients with IBD treated with advanced medical therapy or surgery Participants will undergo an assessment at pre-treatment baseline and then again at their scheduled follow-up. This is a non-interventional study and participants will not be required to have any invasive tests or hospital visits beyond that of standard clinical care.

This study is designed to evaluate the feasibility of using intra-operative ECAP and Late-Response (LR) recordings for confirmation of activating the neuronal target of the dorsal column in a single-stage SCS lead placement procedure. The collected ECAP and LR data will be analysed post-hoc to further evaluate its utility for determining the laterality of lead placement with respect to the physiologic midline of the dorsal column.

REGENERATE-COBRA will examine whether autologous stem cell treatment can improve angina symptoms and quality of life for patients with refractory angina. Patients will be randomised (randomly allocated with a 50:50 chance) to either the 'treatment' or the 'sham' group - they will not know which group they are in. In the 'treatment' group: * Stem cells will be collected from bone marrow in the patient's hip under local anaesthetic (a bone marrow aspiration). * Under local anaesthetic, the stem cells will be infused into the arteries that supply blood to the heart through a small tube inserted either in the wrist or the groin. * The follow-up involves a phone call at 1 month and 12 months and clinic visit at 6 months. In the 'sham' group: * A sham bone marrow aspiration is performed - a 3mm nick in the skin will be made under local anaesthetic. * A sham cell infusion is performed - a small tube is inserted either in the wrist or groin under local anaesthetic. * The follow-up involves a phone call at 1 month and 12 months and clinic visit at 6 months.

To observe and identify determinants of recovery from intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) following a severe cardiorespiratory failure requiring extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Additionally, to discover the effects of ICUAW on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after critical illness. CLEVERER is a clinical observational pilot study.

The goal of this study is to find out how muscle wasting in the mouth and throat affects swallowing (dysphagia) in adults who are critically ill and being treated in intensive care units. The main aims of this research study are to understand: how much and how quickly the oral and suprahyoid muscles waste in critically ill participants, and whether muscle wasting causes problems with swallowing. The investigators will compare critically ill participants with non-critically ill participants to determine if muscle wasting is linked to swallowing problems. In this study, participants will have the size and strength of their mouth and throat muscles measured at four different times during their critical care admission and hospital stay. Tests will also be performed to check how well and how safely participants can swallow. Tongue strength will be measured, and participants will answer questions about their experience with swallowing and eating using patient-reported outcome measures. This study may help identify better ways to diagnose and treat swallowing problems in people who are critically ill, to support safe eating and drinking and promote faster recovery.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting millions worldwide and causing symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue and breathlessness. It also increases the risk of stroke and heart failure, so effective treatment is essential. A treatment for AF involves catheter ablation, a minimally invasive procedure where problematic areas of the heart are targeted using controlled energy. This is done by passing wires called catheters, through blood vessels at the top of the leg all the way to the heart. However, this isn't effective for everyone and approximately half of patients experience a return of AF despite treatment. In this researcher-led study at St Bartholomew's Hospital , the investigators will use a method called electroanatomical mapping to make a 3D picture of the left atrium, the heart's upper left chamber. To make this picture more detailed, information will be collected - such as how strong electrical signals are (voltage), how fast and in which direction they travel through the heart to describe abnormal areas and areas of scar within the heart. Information will also be gathered about the routes electricity takes and the nerve activity in the heart muscle. These detailed maps will help to understand why AF can continue indefinitely in some people, why ablation works for some people and not others, and improve how ablations are done to make them more effective. All participants will undergo catheter ablation with these mapping methods integrated into the procedure. If AF recurs, patients will be invited for a second ablation targeting specific abnormal areas depending on the amount of scar found. This will be standardised across patients. Patients will be followed for 12 months, with structured visits at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months and 48-hour ECG recorders at 6 and 12 months. By tracking how the heart's structure and electrical behaviour evolve, the aim is to to see if map-guided ablation reduces the need for further procedures, lowers healthcare costs and improves quality of life. Ultimately, this study will provide clear, reproducible insights into AF mechanisms and yield practical guidance so clinicians can predict who will benefit from standard ablation treatment and who may require extra, map-guided treatment.

The aim of this project is to understand the heterogeneity of both the immune consequences and treatment responses in CS. We will explore this heterogeneity through identification of transcriptomic sub-phenotypes and their association with outcomes, including therapeutic responses.

The aim of this study is to learn if the Computed Tomography scan (CT scan) and heart echo scan TransThoracic Echo scan (TTE or heart echo scan) taken before a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure can be used to predict how the new TAVI valve will perform in the future. To do this the investigators need the usual CT scan before and a new CT scan after the TAVI valve has been put in. At present a CT scan after TAVI procedure is not routinely done. Male and female patients with severe Aortic Stenosis (AS) will be asked to take part. The data from the scans along with routine measures that are taken will be used to assess if there has been any deterioration in the valve at six months. The scan data collected will be used in a computer programme. This programme will be trained to predict TAVI valve performance. The main purpose of this study is to collect the CT scan data before and after the TAVI procedure. The study aims to answer: • Can the investigators obtain additional CT imaging data and other data before and after TAVI to enable the prediction of valve performance? Participants will be asked if they would have another CT scan 6 months after their TAVI procedure, during their routine follow up.

The main aim of the research is to investigate whether patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation with catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) will have lower rates of AF recurrence than those treated by DC cardioversion without an ablation procedure.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is an abnormal rhythm arising from the bottom chambers (ventricles) of the heart. The hearts of most patients who develop VT have been previously damaged by a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or other heart muscle diseases (cardiomyopathies). The damage produces scar or fatty deposits that conduct electrical impulses slowly allowing VT to occur. Recurrent episodes of VT can compromise heart function and increase mortality. VT is prevented by special drugs but these are not always effective and can have many side effects. Most patients with VT will also have a specialised device called an implantable defibrillator (ICD) implanted. The ICD treats VT by either stimulating the heart rapidly or delivering a shock to it. ICDs are very effective but the shocks are painful and have a big impact on quality of life. If VT occurs despite optimal drug treatment, patients undergo an invasive procedure called catheter ablation. Here, wires are passed into the heart from the blood vessels in the leg and the damaged heart muscle causing the VT is identified whilst the heart is in VT. An electrical current is passed down the wire making its tip heat up allowing discrete burns (ablation) to be placed inside the heart. The ablated heart muscle doesn't conduct electricity which stops the VT and prevents it recurring. Some patients are so frail that ablation cannot be performed safely. A recent clinical trial has shown that VT can be treated in such patients using radiotherapy, which is usually used to treat tumours with high energy radiation. This approach is non-invasive, painless and requires no sedation or anaesthesia. This study will test whether VT can be successfully treated using stereotactic ablative radiotherapy. This can deliver high dose radiotherapy very precisely, whilst minimising the risk of damage to healthy tissues.

Patients living with diabetes mellitus have double the risk of kidney failure compared to patients without diabetes following use of dye in many x-rays and procedures to diagnose and treat narrowing of the arteries (blood vessels) in the heart that can lead to angina or a heart attack. Heart disease is the commonest cause of death in patients with diabetes. People with diabetes are more likely to need these tests/treatments. By identifying those at greater risk of kidney complications we may be able to make these tests/treatments safer and offer them to more patients with diabetes.

There is considerable morbidity and mortality associated with cardiac surgery. Currently little effort is made to quantify how well the immune system of an individual can cope with inflammation or infection to which they are exposed during surgery. The investigators have previously demonstrated that having higher pre-operative antibody levels is associated with a lower risk of infection and a shorter stay in hospital after cardiac surgery. The investigators aim to study 150 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement and explore their dynamic immune responsiveness. The investigators will determine if this response is correlated with the post-operative outcome (development of post-operative infection or increased length of hospital stay). The investigators will compare this response with the previously measured static markers of immune competence and also with a novel device that may give a more rapid measure of dynamic immunity. The investigators will approach patients in the cardiac surgical pre-assessment clinic to see if they are willing to participate in the study. Immediately once under anaesthetic blood will be taken for testing and then again at the end of surgery, 24h after surgery, at discharge from hospital, and at follow-up clinic approximately 4 weeks later. There will be no additional needle insertions on top of those routinely performed. The investigators will collect data from the routine observations as far as 1 year after surgery. If the investigators can show an association between immune function and subsequent post-operative outcome it may be possible to determine ways to improve outcomes for patients undergoing heart surgery. This might include better information on risks and benefits of surgery, actively boosting immune function (vaccination, immune-nutrition), passively improving immunity (administering antibodies), or consider current alternatives to open heart surgery where the threat of infection or inflammation may be markedly reduced (eg trans-catheter aortic valve implantation)