Clinical trials

Rationale: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a severe complication of colon surgery, with an incidence of 2.7-11.9%. It is associated with long-term increased mortality, reduced quality of life, and high healthcare costs due to reoperations and prolonged hospitalization. Among colon cancer patients, 5-year survival rates are 70% for those with AL compared to 81% for those without. A retrospective case-control study identified a \>50% stenosis of the Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) as a significant risk factor, increasing AL odds by six times (OR: 5.9, 95% CI: 2.7-12.6, p \< .001). Primary objective: The ALPrES2MA study aims to evaluate whether preventive endovascular stenting of a \>50% stenosed SMA origin reduces the risk of AL following colon surgery. Secondary objectives: Classification of severity of AL, incidence of delayed AL (\>90 days), Mesenteric Artery Calcification Score (MACS), surgical complications, hospital (re)admissions, Quality of life (including health related quality of life), healthcare and societal costs, cost-effectiveness (expressed as incremental costs per quality-adjusted life year gained), and budget impact. Additionally, the added value of quantitative fluorescence angiography (qFA) in predicting AL during surgery, in hospitals with suitable equipment and experience, will be explored. This will enhance surgeons' capabilities in preventing AL. Study design: Nationwide multicentre randomized controlled trail with a 1:1 fashion Study population: Patients, 40 years and over, in the participating hospitals in the Netherlands with a \>50% SMA origin stenosis scheduled for elective colorectal resection with a primary anastomosis for malignant or benign colorectal pathology. Intervention: Intervention group will undergo preventive percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and endovascular covered stenting of the SMA, within preferably two weeks prior to the colon resection. Control group will not undergo PTA and endovascular stenting of the \>50% SMA stenosis prior to the colon resection. Both groups will be treated with a mono antiplatelet therapy, i.e., carbasalate calcium (Ascal ®), for stent patency and atherosclerotic risk reduction. Intervention group has an indication for lifelong mono antiplatelet therapy and control group for at least 12 months Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary endpoint is the incidence of a clinically relevant AL within 90 days post-surgery. Secondary endpoints include AL classification/severity, calcification scores of aortic and mesenteric vessels, stenting complications, stent patency, intra-operative qFA measurements, operative duration, all causes of post-operative complications within 90 days, all reinterventions; surgical (including endovascular) and non-surgical within 90 days, duration of primary postoperative hospital stay and readmission within 12 months, 12 month mortality, patient-reported outcomes on month 0-3-6-12, cost-effectiveness budget impact analysis and stent patency. The total follow-up duration will be a total of 12 months.

In patients with Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS), significant external compression of the coeliac artery (CA) by the median arcuate ligament (MAL) increasing mucosal ischemia (1,2) is assumed to cause chronic disabling postprandial abdominal pain, weight loss, and consequently lethargy and social deprivation (3,8). The majority of these patients have had a long medical journey before the diagnosis MALS is considered resulting in a substantial burden of disease and high healthcare and societal costs. Although a Systematic Review have shown a sustainable symptom relief of 68% and a significant and durable improvement of quality of life after surgical treatment for MALS (4), there is still no (inter)national consensus on the existence and treatment of MALS (1, 5, 6, 7). Two recent guidelines (3, 8) concluded that patients with MALS might be considered for surgical CA release (Recommendation 25 GRADE 2D; expert agreement 96%, Terlouw 2020). To end the ongoing debate and to enable the development of evidence-based guidelines for the management of MALS, both guideline committees recommend to perform a blinded, randomised controlled trial comparing a CA release with a sham operation. The proposed Coeliac Artery Release or Sham Operation study will either underline the usefulness of eCAR as a minimal invasive (cost)effective treatment for MALS or it will prohibit a meaningless intervention in patients with disabling abdominal symptoms. If the CARoSO study proves that the treatment of MALS by eCAR is effective, to 490 patients with chronic disabling abdominal symptoms per year can be treated in the Netherlands. Effective treatment of MALS is expected to result in mean health gain of 6.05 Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs)/patient and has the potency to reduce the substantial productivity loss and healthcare consumption caused by MALS, resulting in a saving up to M€4.3/year. The outcome of the CARoSO study will be translated into strong recommendations in the coming updates of the relevant (inter)national multidisciplinary guidelines and will be adapted in daily practice.

This study investigates the impact of a nudge-based intervention on improving guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) prescription among cardiologists. Using a stepped wedge randomized controlled trial design, we assess whether digital decision support-leveraging home monitoring and clinical data-enhances adherence to guideline-recommended medication titration. The primary outcomes include HF related hospitalization rates and all cause mortality.

The goal of this study is whether the T-REX Twente precautions have a positive impact on the quality of life (MAcNew QLMI), level of physical activity, and reduction of fear of movement in heart patients after a total median sternotomy compared to the (current) standard precautions? Do these precautions also have no adverse effects on pain, wound healing, and/or postoperative complications? Participants will be instructed by the physiotherapist to both groups immediately postoperatively and are constantly repeated by the involved disciplines during the hospital stay. The control group is not allowed to lift, push, or pull for the first 6 weeks. There is little to no evidence for the current strict precautions currently implemented in the department. The intervention group receives the new T-REX Twente precautions, allowing for more independent activities through the use of the tube model (keeping elbows close to the sides). All patients receive three questionnaires (MacNew QLMI, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia) preoperatively, on the 4th day postoperatively, on the first day of cardiac rehabilitation, and at the end of cardiac rehabilitation, taking approximately 10 minutes each time. Additionally, during the clinical admission immediately postoperatively, two AX3 accelerometers are placed on the patient, one lateroproximal on the right upper arm and one anterodistal on the right upper leg. Researchers will compare heart patients after a total median sternotomy with T-REX Twente precautions (intervention group) to the (current) standard precautions (control group).

Asthma is a common childhood disease that is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and episodic expiratory airflow obstruction. Asthma symptoms can impair participation in play and sports and have a negative impact on quality of life. It can be challenging for children to adequately feel and report their symptoms. Some children experience more symptoms than expected based on lung function during these symptoms, whereas others experience less symptoms than expected. This is also called 'symptom perception'. A tool was developed to visualize symptoms, lung function and accessory symptom perception: The Rainbow tool. The aim of this study was to identify asthmatic children with a poor perception and investigate if their symptom perception could be improved by regular lung function measurements and personal feedback based on the Rainbow Tool. Hypothesis: Measuring lung function en symptoms and provide personal feedback on perception based on the Rainbow tool has a positive effect on perception of asthma-related symptoms in asthmatic children.

The goal of this cross-sectional study is to investigate the prevalence of Exercise Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO) in children with asthma. The hypothesis is that the prevalence will be around 15%, which is higher than the prevalence of 5-8% among the general adolescent population. This is based on the increased prevalence of EILO among adult asthmatics. Participants who are referred for an Exercise Challenge Test will perform an additional Continuous Laryngoscopy during Exercise Test with expiratory FEV1 curves, and fill in the Borg scale for dyspnea, Asthma Control Test, EILODI questionnaire and DISCO-RC questionnaire.

The objective of this study is to estimate the feasibility and safety of early weaning from ICU treatment in patients after cardiac arrest and an early (\< 12 h) favourable EEG pattern (indicating no or mild postanoxic encephalopathy).