Spotlight Autumn/Winter 2023

Here are just a few examples of
clinical trials currently being
undertaken at LHCH, covering all
conditions and diseases at the trust.
Monitoring your heart
at home
The TICS study is a research study
looking to find out if regular
monitoring at home with a smart
device helps to improve the quality of
life for patients who are scheduled to
undergo heart surgery. The aim of
the study is to see if regular
monitoring can prevent the patient’s
condition deteriorating, stop them
from needing additional medical care.
Cystic Fibrosis – expanding
access to treatments
As one of the largest Cystic Fibrosis
treatment centres in the UK LHCH has
a number of research studies running
to benefit our CF patients. There have
been significant advances in the
treatment of CF in recent years but
some patients are unable to tolerate
these new treatments or are ineligible
to receive them because of their genes.
LHCH will be leading a study into a new
treatment for this cohort of patients
which will, hopefully, allow them to
have some of the new life-changing
treatments currently available.
Measuring Oxygen in
Intensive Care
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease and Bronchiectasis
Oxygen is a common treatment given
to patients in intensive care. The
amount of oxygen given is adjusted
depending on how much oxygen is in a
patient’s blood. Evidence about the
levels of extra oxygen patients should
receive is scarce meaning that there is
no optimum standard. Some evidence
has shown that less oxygen may be
beneficial, but more research needs
to be done to prove if this does,
indeed, provide better outcomes.
This study includes LHCH but also
other hospitals around the UK and the
rest of the world.
COPD is characterised by a progressive
decline in lung function and recurrent
infections. Bronchiectasis is a long-term
condition where the airways of the lungs
become abnormally widened, leading to a
build-up of mucus making the lungs more
vulnerable to infection.
LHCH is currently undertaking research
that focusses on reducing infections and
improving lung function which has the
potential to make a big impact on the
quality of life for this groups of patients.
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