The Operating Theatre Journal - Flipbook - Page 4
Royal Papworth patient is 昀椀rst recruit to new
‘blood powder’ heart surgery research trial
The international trial could improve outcomes for thousands of patients and reduce need for valuable blood products.
A patient at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust has become the 昀椀rst globally
to be recruited to a new international heart
surgery research trial.
The trial is investigating a new type of ‘blood
product powder’ which helps blood to clot
naturally. It will be given to patients who are
higher risk of bleeding during complex cardiac
operations.
If successful, it could signi昀椀cantly cut the
need for blood products, improve outcomes
and remove the need for blood to be crossmatched between donor and recipient.
It also has a much longer shelf-life of around
two years – compared to blood which is a
few months - and does not require ‘blood
matching’ to take place. That means anyone
can receive it, regardless of their blood type.
In Greg’s case, he had mitral valve
regurgitation, a condition in which the 昀氀ap
does not close properly, causing a backward
昀氀ow of blood back to the heart, affecting how
blood 昀氀ows around the body.
“For some patients, their blood has a good
natural ability to clot on its own,” added
Professor Klein, who is also the Anaesthetics &
Pain Management Lead for the NIHR’s regional
Clinical Research Network.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to the be the
昀椀rst patient randomised to the trial,” said
Greg.
“The participants recruited to this study
will have blood that is less likely to clot, and
therefore more likely to bleed.
“If we can stop people bleeding, the impact
could be signi昀椀cant.
“Around 35,000 people need heart surgery in
the UK each year, with about 12,000 patients
requiring transfusion during or after surgery.
Patients can lose one or two pints of blood
frequently, while some can lose up to eight
pints.
“People who do not need transfusions typically
have better outcomes, fewer complications, a
shorter length of stay in hospital and quicker
recovery.
“We are proud to announce this global 昀椀rst
with the 昀椀rst two patients randomised to this
ground-breaking study and thank them for
being so interested in research.
“This is a very exciting new study being run at
13 hospitals across 昀椀ve countries in Europe”,
said Professor Andrew Klein, Consultant
Anaesthetist, (pictured above) who is leading
the study at Royal Papworth Hospital.
“Both patients are now doing very well. The
team is now working hard to continue to
recruit more patients into the study which we
hope will bene昀椀t many more people.”
The study is supported in the UK by the
National Institute for Health and Care Research
(NIHR), the nation’s largest funder of research
happening in the NHS and social care.
“If a patient bleeds at the end of their
operation, we would normally give them
donated blood, such as cryoprecipitate which
helps the blood to clot, and red blood cells and
plasma to replace their lost blood,” continued
Professor Klein.
“This new type of ‘powder’ is infused into
patients before bleeding occurs, with the
hope it prevents bleeding in the 昀椀rst place.”
The powder – a type of 昀椀brinogen concentrate
- is created from waste products in donated
blood, separated and dried.
Because it can be stored in small vials, it takes
up less storage space than bags of blood and
can be stored at room temperature.
Greg, a plumber from Norwich, is the 昀椀rst
patient to be recruited to this new heart
surgery research trial
The 昀椀rst patient recruited in the world was
Greg (69), a plumber from Norwich, who had
surgery to repair his mitral valve.
The mitral valve is a small 昀氀ap in the heart
that stops blood 昀氀owing the wrong way.
“When I was approached about taking part, it
was something that I was more than happy to
contribute towards.
“I’m very grateful for the support that the
NHS has given me, so if I can help be involved
in something that proves bene昀椀cial for others
in the future, then I’m more than happy to
do so.
“Heart issues have unfortunately run in my
family,” Greg went on to explain.
“My mum had a double-heart bypass when
she was 50 and my younger brother had open
heart surgery in the early 1960s, when he was
born with a 2p-size hole in his heart between
his ventricles.
“I knew I had a heart murmur but nothing
came up until a year or so ago when I was
suddenly really breathless. After tests I was
told I had mitral valve regurgitation and
following an angiogram it was suggested I have
surgery.”
The operation to repair Greg’s mitral valve
was successful, and he was discharged home
from Royal Papworth Hospital six days later.
Dr Effrossyni Gkrania-Klotsas, Clinical Director
for the NIHR’s Clinical Research Network in
the East of England, said, “It’s only through
research that we can 昀椀nd new ways to help
care for people, but without participants
like Greg, research couldn’t happen. We are
extremely grateful to everyone involved
in research, patients, staff and supporters
alike, and are privileged to count the Royal
Papworth Hospital team as part of our region’s
impressive research community”.
In total, it is hoped that 620 participants will
be recruited to the double-blind study across
Europe. Some patients will receive the drug
while others will receive a placebo.
Research and innovation is a strategical aim
of Royal Papworth Hospital as we collaborate
with partners to bring tomorrow’s treatments
to today’s patients. Discover more about our
research here:
https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/research-anddevelopment
The next issue copy deadline, Thursday 4th January 2024
All enquiries: To the editorial team, Lawrand Ltd, Pentwyn Cottages, Llanharan, Pontyclun, CF72 9NG
Tel: 02921 680068 Email: admin@lawrand.com Website: www.lawrand.com
The Operating Theatre Journal is published twelve times per year.
Available in electronic format from the website, www.otjonline.com
Neither the Editor or Directors of Lawrand Ltd are in any way responsible for the statements made or views expressed by the contributors.
All communications in respect of advertising quotations, obtaining a rate card and supplying all editorial communications and pictures to the
Editor at the address above. No part of this journal may be reproduced without prior permission from Lawrand Ltd. © 2023
4
THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL
www.otjonline.com