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Written by R&D Lead
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Our Trust has for many years been involved in clinical research. Research studies provide the evidence upon which our medical treatments, medical practice and health care is based. For example, twenty years ago Ashford and St Peter's hospitals were a part of a series of studies which proved the effectiveness of clot-busting, thrombolytic medications, which were used routinely to save the lives of people having a heart attack.
Our research is varied. We may be part of a huge international study which is looking at a new drug; or a study based solely in the United Kingdom which is looking at, for example, the use of compression stockings for people with a stroke; or a study from a local University looking at delivering new health care services for our patients.
Once research findings have been analysed and published, it is important that we are able to implement the study results. This ensures that our patients receive state-of-the-art and up to date treatments. For example, the results of the CLOTS study showed that the routine use of compression stockings for stroke patients, were not effective in preventing deep vein thrombosis. Hence, we now no longer use compression stockings for our stroke patients.
Over the last eight years we have been involved in many studies looking at the use of Home Monitoring for patients who have certain types of pacemakers fitted. Home monitoring allows the cardiology staff to monitor the effects of the pacemaker, even when the patient is away from the hospital. Our Trust is a pioneering centre in the UK for the home monitoring of pacemaker patients.
An advantage for some patients to take part in a study is that the research provides them with the newest drugs and treatment strategies. Patients are closely looked after in the hospital, attending for regular clinical visits and medical review, as required by the study. For clinicians, having been involved in a research study they are more confident using new treatments and innovations in practice, so can quickly adapt to new regimes. Research helps medical staff keep up to date with new treatments, clinical practices and drugs.
Research studies are undertaken across all major departments in the Trust. Below is a small sample of some of our current key studies.
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CARDIOLOGY - PHARMACEUTICAL | |
PALLAS: Permanent Atrial Fibrillation outcome study using Dronedarone on top of standard therapy. | |
SOLID: Darpladib versus placebo in subjects with acute coronary heart disease. | |
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CARDIOLOGY - PACING | |
Virtue: Virtual clinical pacemaker follow-up. | |
EffecT: Clinical effect of heart failure management via home monitoring with a focus on atrial fibrillation.
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CANCER / ONCOLOGY | |
POETIC: Trial of perioperative endocrine therapy - individualising care. | |
NSCCG: National study of colorectal cancer studies.
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HISTOPATHOLOGY | |
PRESENT: The Predisposition to Serrated Neoplasia and Tumours. An investigation of genetic factors involved in predisposition to and pathogenesis of serrated polyps and cancers of the large bowel.
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NEONATAL | |
PIPS: The Probiotic Bifidobacterium breve strain BBG-001 administered early to Preterm infants to prevent infection, necrotising enterocolitis and death.
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PAEDIATRICS | |
PREDNOS: Long term tapering versus standard prednisolone (steroid) therapy for the treatment of the initial episode of childhood nephrotic syndrome: national, multicentre, randomized, double blind trial.
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RESPIRATORY | |
BI Trial 205.452: A randomized, active-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group design, multicenter trial to compare the efficacy and safety of 2.5?g and 5?g Tiotropium Inhalation Solution delivered by the Respimat® Inhaler with Tiotropium inhalation capsules 18 ?g delivered by the HandiHaler®.
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A 52-week treatment, multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, active controlled study to evaluate the effect of QVA149 (110/50g od) vs NVA237 (50g od) and open-label tiotropium (18g od) on COPD exacerbations in patients with severe to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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RHEUMATOLOGY | |
TRACE-RA: Atorvastatin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis. | |
Mabthera Observational Study: Observational study in RA non-responders or intolerance to single TNF. | |
Daily Fluctuations of Symptoms and Seeking Help for Flares of RA.
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STROKE | |
SOS: Stroke and Oxygen | |
CLOTS 3: Intermittent pneumatic compression after stroke | |
TARDIS: Safety and tolerability of clopidogrel when added to aspirin and dipyridamole in high risk patients with recent ischaemic stroke: a randomised controlled trial.
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NEUROGENERATIVE DISEASES | |
Assistive technology and Parkinson's disease: availability, use and value of assistive technology for adults with Parkinson's disease and their co-resident carers
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WOMEN'S SERVICES | |
Biomarkers for Endometriosis: Cell free nucleosomes as a marker of endometriosis, the development of a blood test for the detection of endometriosis.
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Local Anaesthetic Infusion for Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. | |
History of presentation of cervical cancer in young women in England
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