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 chamberPlasma 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
|