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Lymphatic Function in Patients With a Fontan Circulation From Brazil

Completed
Conditions
Lymphatic Abnormalities
Univentricular Heart
Lymphatic Edema
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: Near-Infrared Fluorescence imaging
Diagnostic Test: Strain Gauge Plethysmography
Registration Number
NCT04394507
Lead Sponsor
University of Aarhus
Brief Summary

It is suggested that the elevated central venous pressure in patients with a Fontan circulation can provoke manifestation of lymphatic dysfunction, met as plastic bronchitis, peripheral oedema and most feared protein-losing enteropathy (PLE).

An explorative study from our department at Aarhus University Hospital revealed that the function of the lymphatic vasculature in 10 young Fontan patients with no complications was abnormal compared to healthy controls. However, to further describe and confirm these findings we had to investigate the lymphatic circulation in a larger, older and more complicated group of Fontan patients.

The hypothesis is that, patients with a univentricular circulation have a reduced functionality of the lymphatic vasculature and which predisposes them to developing complications such as edema and PLE.

Detailed Description

The study population is patients with a Fontan circulation followed at InCor Heart Institute in Sao Paolo and Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. These were matched with and group of healthy controls.

The functional state of superficial lymphatics in the lower leg will be investigated, using near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging. The capillary filtration of fluid and leakiness of the capillaries will be measured using strain gauge plethysmography and the peripheral blood flow will be measured using venous occlusion plethysmography. Furthermore, plasma concentration of noradrenaline will be estimated.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
48
Inclusion Criteria
  • Fontan circulation
  • Age above 16.
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Mental illness
  • Syndromes.
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Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Fontan PatientsNear-Infrared Fluorescence imagingFontan patients operated at the two centres between 1991 and 2014.
Control GroupStrain Gauge PlethysmographyAge, gender and weight matched healthy controls.
Fontan PatientsStrain Gauge PlethysmographyFontan patients operated at the two centres between 1991 and 2014.
Control GroupNear-Infrared Fluorescence imagingAge, gender and weight matched healthy controls.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Lymphatic function assessed by Near-Infrared fluorescence Imaging 11 hour

Contraction frequency (contraction/minut)

Lymphatic function assessed by Near-Infrared fluorescence Imaging 21 hour

Pumping Pressure (mmHg)

Lymphatic function assessed by Near-Infrared fluorescence Imaging 31 hour

Packet Velocity

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Capillary Filtration Rate measured by Strain Gauge Plethysmography1 hour

Capillary Filtration Rate

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Aarhus University Hospital

🇩🇰

Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark

Aarhus University

🇩🇰

Aarhus C, Danmark, Denmark

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