Muscle Recovery Following Aortic Surgery Induced ICUAW. (VARIANCE)

A Prospective Observational Study Into Muscle Recovery Following Aortic Surgery Induced Intensive Care Unit-acquired Weakness (VARIANCE).

To identify determinants of 'good and bad recovery' from ICUAW and build knowledge around the timing of these processes. Also, the investigators want to discover the effects of ICUAW on physical function and HRQoL following aortic surgery.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Surgery; Critical Illness Myopathy; Aortic Diseases; Intensive Care Unit Syndrome; Intensive Care (ICU) Myopathy; Intensive Care Neuropathy

Detailed Description

The aim is to identify determinants of recovery from intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) and to discover the effects of ICUAW on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after critical illness. This phenomenon has become more evident over recent years and still requires extensive research.

ICUAW is an umbrella term for more specifically, polyneuropathy and myopathy. Recent research has found that 50% of patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery lose significant muscle mass (9.6% in the wasters group) within the first seven days. These patients are receiving relatively uncomplicated surgery yet still suffering from muscle breakdown, which cannot be described by inactivity alone. ICUAW can lead to a significant increase in mortality, morbidity, hospital-acquired infections and pressure ulcers. Risk factors for ICUAW include neuromuscular blocking agents, hyperglycaemia, inactivity and sepsis. The correlation between a relatively homogenous (cardiac surgical) group and patient-centred outcomes during recovery such as functional ability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been little studied.

Patients undergoing elective aortic valvular surgery at St Bartholomew's Hospital London will be recruited for the study. We have chosen the cardiac surgical model due to being a homogenous cohort where the time of insult from surgery from the cardiac bypass, can be measured in correlation with ICUAW. Due to the clamped aorta within the operation, prolonged periods of reduced blood flow to the body occurs, and therefore an element of ischaemia and reperfusion can lead to muscle wasting. Rectus Femoris cross-sectional area (RFcsa) will be measured at pre-determined intervals and the images then greyscaled and muscle quality assessed. To assess and quantify 'good and bad recovery,' we will correlate these tests with functional capacity and HRQoL. Additionally, Blood and urine samples will be taken at pre-defined intervals to observe for markers of oxidative stress, organ injury and molecular profiles. Muscle biopsies will be taken during surgery and observed for histological and fibre profiles.

The primary objective is to identify determinants of recovery from ICUAW and to discover the effects of ICUAW on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after aortic valvular surgery. Specifically, to observe the cross-sectional area of the Rectus Femoris (RFcsa) and correlate this with muscle strength and HRQoL during the recovery phase. The RFcsa, hand-held dynamometry, knee straightening dynamometry, Free Fat Mass Index, standing and lying vital capacity and the short physical performance battery (SPPB) will be observed. Also, HRQoL will be measured using the reintegration to normal living index (RNLI), hospital and anxiety depression score (HADS), EQ-5D-5L (EuroQol research foundation). The primary endpoint will be once all these data are gathered and analysed.

The secondary aim is to understand the molecular and genomic profile of blood samples and the histology of the muscle biopsies. The secondary objective will be supported with additional data from urine analysis (Albumin-creatinine ratio, ACR). The secondary endpoint will be once these data are gathered and analysed.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 31

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • London, United Kingdom, EC1A 7BE
    • St Bartholomew's hospital (Barts NHS trust)

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Inclusion criteria include any consenting adult receiving elective aortic surgery at Bartshealth NHS trust with no evidence of pre-hospital neuromuscular conditions.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Above the age of 18
• Receiving elective aortic valvular surgery at Barts Health NHS Trust

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous Stroke
• Neuromuscular disease
• Malignancy
• Underlying neuromuscular disease
• Paediatrics
• Non-consenting adults

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
ICUAW group; The physical and psychological effects of ICUAW on patients undergoing aortic valvular surgery will be observed. Physical function and HRQoL will be analysed and correlated with RFcsa. Additionally, biological markers will be used to understand molecular and genomic profiles.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
To observe the change in cross sectional area of the Rectus Femoris (RFcsa) during critical illness and recovery.	RFcsa will be calculated using B-mode ultrasound (US) at pre-determined time points. Additionally, the images acquired will have histogram analysis in adobe photoshop software. The RFcsa will be correlated with indices of muscle strength and HRQoL.	Pre-operatively, day 7/Hospital Discharge and 6-15week follow up clinic.
To Observe a change in Hand Held Dynamometry strength (grip strength) and correlate this with RFcsa, function and HRQoL during critical illness and recovery.	Hand-held dynamometry will be calculated using the JAMAR hand-held hydraulic dynamometer. We will assess both hands and take the mean of 3 trials, producing a maximal grip result.	Pre-operatively, Day 7/Hospital Discharge and 6-15 week follow up clinic.
To observe a change in Knee straightening dynamometry, strength and joint moment (torque) and correlate this with RFcsa, function and HRQoL during critical illness and recovery.	The test will be conducted using a Lafayette Manual Muscle Tester. Joint knee moment (torque) and strength will be measured.	Pre-operatively, Day 7/Hospital Discharge and 6-15 week follow up clinic.
To observe a change in Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and correlate this with RFcsa, function and HRQoL during critical illness and recovery.	SPPB will be measured at similar time points to understand a patients' functional status.	Pre-operatively, Day 7/Hospital Discharge and 6-15 week follow up clinic.
Lying and Standing Vital Capacity (FVC - forced vital capacity) and correlate this with RFcsa, function and HRQoL during critical illness and recovery.	Lying and standing vital capacity will be measured using a hand held spirometer.	Pre-operatively, Day 7/Hospital Discharge and 6-15 week follow up clinic.
To measure Free Fat Mass Index (FFMI) and correlate this with RFcsa, function and HRQoL during critical illness and recovery.	Free fat mass index (FFMI) and free fat mass (FFM) will be measured using the bodystat 1500 device. Other values will also be recorded from the test including body fat percentage and lean mass percentage. The body stat 1500 is an electrical device that uses electrical impedance to obtain results (objective data).	Pre-operatively, Day 7/Hospital Discharge and 6-15 week follow up clinic.
To measure the EQ-5D-5L (Euroscore) to assess general health and correlate this with the primary objective (RFcsa).	EQ5D-5L is a standardised tool that provides a simple generic measure of health. A summation of all the levels will be converted to a single index value using the EQ5D-5L crosswalk index value calculator. The general health score can range from 0 (worst health imaginable) to 100 (best health imaginable).	Pre operatively, Day 7/Hospital discharge and 6-15 week follow up.
Hospital anxiety and depression score (HADS) to assess HRQoL and correlate this with the overall primary objective (RFcsa).	The HADS is an assessment that measures whether a patients is suffering from anxiety or depression. HADS is a self assessment consisting of 16 items. A result of between 0 and 7 indicates a normal case, between 8 and 10 indicates borderline abnormal and between 11 and 21 indicates abnormal levels of anxiety and depression.	Pre-operatively, Day 7/Hospital discharge and 6-15 week follow up.
Reintegration to normal living index (RNLI) to assess HRQoL and correlate this with the overall primary objective (RFcsa).	The RNLI is a 5 domain 11-tool item aimed at assessing the degree to which patients' who have experiences traumatic and incapacitating illness achieve reintegration into society. The RNLI score is based out of 110, which will be proportionally converted to create a score of 100. Zero indicates no integration whereas 100 implies full integration.	Pre-operatively and 6-15 week follow up clinic.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The secondary aim is to understand the molecular profile (bloods).	Blood analysis will contain and analyse but not limited to markers of oxidative stress injury, inflammation, MiRNA and injury to multiple organs will be quantified. We will store Buffy coat and plasma to understand these profiles.	Pre-operatively, Day 1, Day 3, Day 7/hospital discharge and 6-15 week follow up.
Urine Analysis	Urine analysis observes albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR)	pre-operatively, Day 1, Day 3, Day 7/hospital discharge and 6-15 week follow up.
Muscle Biopsy	A muscle biopsy will be taken from patients whilst under anaesthesia. The biopsy observes pathways relevant to muscle homeostasis using biochemical and molecular techniques.	Intra-operatively
Cardiac post operative morbidity score (C-POMS) will be used to calculate morbidity risk.	C-POMS is additional data that will be collected and analysed. C-POMS is a validated tool assessing in-hospital morbidity burden (score 0-13) derived by noting the presence of 13 morbidity domains on days 3, 5, 8 and 15 after surgery. A higher score indicates a greater morbidity burden.	Day 3, day 5, day 8 and day 15 post cardiac surgery.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Barts & The London NHS Trust
• Collaborators: Queen Mary University of London
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Mark Grffiths, PhD FRCP, Substantive Employee and primary supervisor to PhD student; Principal Investigator: Julie Sanders, MSc, PhD, Director of research and supervisor to PhD student; Principal Investigator: Ashley Thomas, MSc, Substantive employee and PhD student

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Bloch SA, Donaldson AV, Lewis A, Banya WA, Polkey MI, Griffiths MJ, Kemp PR. MiR-181a: a potential biomarker of acute muscle wasting following elective high-risk cardiothoracic surgery. Crit Care. 2015 Apr 7;19(1):147. doi: 10.1186/s13054-015-0853-5.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ACTUAL): February 19, 2019
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): June 22, 2022
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): September 26, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 5, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 17, 2018
• First Posted (ACTUAL): October 22, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): October 4, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 3, 2022
• Last Verified: November 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Cardiac Surgery; Ultrasound (US); Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness (ICUAW); Critical Illness Polyneuromyopathy (CIPM); Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL); Rectus Femoris Cross Sectional Area (RFcsa)
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Cardiovascular Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Disease Attributes; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Critical Illness; Muscular Diseases; Aortic Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: 012396 (VARIANCE)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No