The European Unstable Carotid Artery Plaque Study (EUCAPS)

O.M.Rønning

Oslo University Hospital

17th ESNCH Venezia

Research infrastructure

• Do we need research infrastructures ?

• How can we achieve this ?

EUCAPS -Background

• The main goal of The European Unstable Carotid Artery Plaque Study (EUCAPS)

– WHAT: register data which will enable the identification of new markers of plaque instability

– HOW: has established a robust method to register and store patient data without the use of national identity numbers and with mechanisms to handle these conversions electronically with a high level of security

EUCAPS - Methods

• EUCAPS prospectively registers symptomatic (unstable) and asymptomatic carotid artery plaques

• Clinical details with follow-up at 6 and 12 months

• Serum markers and mediators of plaque instability

• Imaging. Carotid ultrasound findings, CT angiography, carotid 3-

Tesla MRI with dedicated carotid coils, FDG-PET

• Histology and immunohistochemistry of plaques removed by endarterectomy

The Unstable Plaque

Structural components

Molecular imaging of

biological processes

Microemboli formation/

cerebral ishemic injury

Markers and mediators of

plaque instability

EUCAPS -Conclusion

• Identification of new markers for plaque instability in atherosclerotic carotid stenosis

• Better prediction of risk in carotid artery disease

• More accurate selection of patients to different prophylactic treatments

EUCAPS study

• BUT, the EUCAPS study demonstrates :

– the need for the transfer of large amounts of advanced imaging information obtained using different technologies (Ultrasound, CT ,MRI, PET) in large multicenter studies

– the opportunity to do this with secure storage possibilities is essential for various studies

Research infrastructure

• EUCAPS is an example of modern translational and clinical research that requires:

• Large number of patients

• Clinical data, biobanks

• Image technologies

• Dedicated laboratory facilities

• Access to new technologies

Description of the Research Infrastructure

ECRI

Data management

System management

European Cerebrovascular Research Infrastructure

Why a research infrastructure?

1. A research platform for Norwegian and European stroke research centers

2. Provides shared databases; collaborative projects to provide infrastructure

3. Modern translational and clinical research of sufficient size to enable studies of statistical significance

4. Close collaboration between centers to secure sufficiently expertise and resources

5. The infrastructure facilitate new studies

• A strong need and wish among the research centers, but there is no supporting cerebrovascular research infrastructure in Norway or in Europe.

• Same direction to reach common goals?

Why a research infrastructure?

or

No research infrastructure? Research infrastructure?

Goals

•Establish a research infrastructure with a robust method for registring and storing cerebrovascular patient data without the use of national identity numbers •Mechanisms to handle these conversions electronically

Contacts for ECRI: Oslo University Hospital

• Dr. Anne Hege Aamodt

• anne.hege.aamodt@ous-hf.no

• Professor David Russell

• david.russell@medisin.uio.no

• www.ecri.no