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Effect of Fire Suppression and Emergency Duties on Vascular Function

Information source: University of Edinburgh
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015
Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.

Condition(s) targeted: Vascular Function; Atherothrombosis

Intervention: Forearm Vascular Study (Procedure); Badimon Chamber (Procedure)

Phase: N/A

Status: Recruiting

Sponsored by: University of Edinburgh

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
David E Newby, MD PhD, Study Chair, Affiliation: University of Edinburgh
Nicholas L Mills, MBChB PhD, Study Director, Affiliation: University of Edinburgh
Amanda L Hunter, MBChB, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: University of Edinburgh

Overall contact:
Amanda L Hunter, MBChB, Phone: +441312426437, Email: amanda.hunter@ed.ac.uk

Summary

Firefighters are at increased risk of death from heart attacks when compared to other emergencyy service professionals whose jobs involve similar components such as emergency call-outs and shift work. In the largest analysis of cause of death amongst on-duty firefighters, firefighter deaths were classified according to the duty performed during the onset of symptoms or immediately prior to any sudden death. The majority of deaths due to a cardiovascular cause (i. e. heart attack) occurred during fire suppression whilst this activity represented a relatively small amount of a firefighters professional time. There was also a risk of death associated with other duties such as emergency non-fire response and physical exertion. The investigators hypothesize that participation in active fire-fighting duties impairs blood vessel function and increases blood clot formation when compared with non-fire-fighting activities. In this study, healthy career firefighters will be assessed after three periods of duty: fire-suppression, emergency response without fire suppression and following a sedentary shift. The investigators will take blood samples to measure platelet activity (platelets are the particles in blood that help blood clot) and will examine how blood clots outside of the body. The investigators will then perform studies placing small needles in the arm to assess blood vessel function following these duties. By undertaking this comprehensive assessment of blood, blood vessel and heart function the investigators hope to understand the mechanisms whereby the risk of a heart attack, fatal or otherwise, is posed throughout these distinct duties that firefighters undertake on a daily basis.

Clinical Details

Official title: Effect of Fire Suppression and Emergency Duties on Vascular Function in Firefighters

Study design: Observational Model: Case-Crossover, Time Perspective: Prospective

Primary outcome: Forearm blood flow measured by venous occlusion plethysmography in response to infused vasodilators

Secondary outcome:

Ex-vivo thrombus formation using the Badimon chamber

Plasma t-PA and PAI concentrations following infusion of bradykinin

Eligibility

Minimum age: 18 Years. Maximum age: 60 Years. Gender(s): Both.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Non-smoking healthy firefighters

Exclusion Criteria:

- Current smoker

- History of lung or ischaemic heart disease

- Malignant arrhythmia

- Systolic blood pressure >190mmHg or <100mmHg

- Renal or hepatic dysfunction

- Previous history of blood dyscrasia

- Unable to tolerate the supine position

- Blood donation within the last 3 months

- Recent respiratory tract infection within the past 4 weeks

- Routine medication including aspirin and NSAIDs

Locations and Contacts

Amanda L Hunter, MBChB, Phone: +441312426437, Email: amanda.hunter@ed.ac.uk

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, United Kingdom; Recruiting
Amanda L Hunter, MBChB, Phone: +441312426437, Email: amanda.hunter@ed.ac.uk
Nicholas L Mills, MBChB PhD, Phone: +441312426437, Email: nick.mills@ed.ac.uk
Amanda L Hunter, MBChB, Principal Investigator
Additional Information

Starting date: February 2012
Last updated: March 4, 2013

Page last updated: August 23, 2015

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