A prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study looking at patients following COVID-19 disease using multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the degree and prevalence of organ injury.
To date, correctly, all of the Government's efforts have been dedicated to providing
sufficient hospital space, and the appropriate equipment, for treating the most serious cases
of COVID-19. Equally, enormous resource is being dedicated to developing technologies that
determine who has the disease, and who has developed antibodies to it.
However, patients recovering from serious disease will also pose a huge, ongoing challenge.
Not only are people with co-morbidities including underlying fatty liver disease, metabolic
syndrome and diabetes at higher risk for complications with COVID-19; but patients discharged
from hospital after severe COVID-19 are reported to have liver and kidney injuries, and
impacts on pancreas and spleen. However, the extent of organ health/damage has not been
mapped.
This is a prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study looking at patients
recovering from COVID-19 disease using multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to
assess the degree and prevalence of organ injury. This proposed study aims to measure the
prevalence of organ volume changes and damage in lungs, heart, kidney, liver, pancreas,
spleen as assessed by MRI among those having recovered, or recovering, from the SARS-CoV-2
infection - participants will have a final MRI scan at 12 months. Assessing the severity and
sequelae of COVID-19 in patients is crucial to enable global planning for health-care needs.
The study includes up to 3 visits for MRI scans and blood tests over a 12 month period. All
participants will receive standard-of-care by their healthcare provider/s.
Diagnostic Test: Outpatient MRI
Participation in the study includes up to 3 visits to a partnering imaging facility - this will include measurement of height and weight (to calculate BMI), blood pressure measurement, 3 sets of blood tests, 3 Questionnaires and 3 MRI tests.
There will be no medical interventions as part of the study. All participants will receive standard-of-care by their healthcare provider/s. With the participant's consent, the participant's primary care physician will be made aware of their participation in the study. Furthermore, participants will be informed of any structural abnormalities found in the MRI scan (e.g. abnormal vessels, haemangioma, tumour, cyst, among others) and abnormal blood test results as these may have clinical implications.
Other Name: Array
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male or female 18 years of age and older willing and able to give informed consent to
participate in the study
- Recent confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 RNA via a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
assay (having been discharged 7 or more days from hospital).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Symptoms of active respiratory viral infection:
- high temperature (over 37.8C/100.04F)
- cough (consistent for over an hour; 3 or more episodes in 24 hours)
- The participant may not enter the study with any known contraindication to magnetic
resonance imaging (including but not limited to pregnancy, a pacemaker or other
metallic unfixed implanted device, metallic fragments, extensive tattoos, severe
claustrophobia).
- Any other cause, including a significant underlying disease or disorder which, in the
opinion of the investigator, may put the participant at risk by participating in the
study or limit the participant's ability to participate.
Mayo Clinic Healthcare
London, United Kingdom
Gemini
Oxford, United Kingdom
Rajarshi Banerjee, MSc, DPhil, Principal Investigator
Honorary Consultant Physician, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust