TransThoracic Ultrasound for Descending Aortic Aneurysms

NCT07752654 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 199470IRAS Project ID: 365629
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to assess the applicability of non-invasive ultrasound in aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta. The main question it aims to answer is: What is the feasibility of Ultrasound to visualise the Descending Thoracic Aorta, and can this imaging modality accurately measure the maximum size of aneurysms and residual sacs with acceptable reproducibility? Participants are having their diagnosis confirmed or excluded by conventional imaging techniques (CT scans). Participants receive exactly the same standard of care regardless of their participation. The study offers an additional ultrasound scan, and the results will be compared with previous imaging.

Conditions

Descending Aortic Aneurysm; Accuracy; Feasibility; Reproducibility; Ultrasound

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Part 1 - Feasibility - Proportion of participants with successful ultrasound measurement of the diameter of the descending thoracic aorta

  Number and percentage of participants in whom the descending thoracic aortic diameter can be obtained by transthoracic ultrasound. The units of Measure are total number and percentages.

  Day 1 - At the single ultrasound study visit.

• Part 1 - Feasibility - Length of the descending thoracic aorta by Ultrasound

  Total length of the descending thoracic aorta from the aortic isthmus to the coeliac axis. The unit of Measure is Centimetres (cms).

  Day 1 - At the single ultrasound study visit.

• Part 1 - Feasibility - Ultrasound Quality Score

  Number of ultrasound windows that allow visualisation of the descending thoracic aorta (0 to 3 windows) and allocation of a quality score. The Unit of Measure is a score created for this study (0-Windows: No views; 1 window: Poor; 2 windows: Moderate; 3 windows: Good). Higher scores mean better image quality.

  Day 1 - At the single ultrasound study visit.

• Part 2 - Accuracy - Comparision between Transthoracic Ultrasound and CT

  Calculate mean differences and limits of agreement between TUS and CT. Achieve high sensitivity and specificity.

  Day 1 - At the single ultrasound study visit.

• Part 3 - Reproducibility - Intraclass correlation coefficient

  Calculate inter- and intra-operator variability by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The study aims to achieve good or excellent reliability.

  Day 1 - At the single ultrasound study visit.

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Part 1 - Feasibility - Factors limiting visualisation of the Descending Thoracic Aorta

  Day 1 - At the single ultrasound study visit.

• Part 1 - Feasibility - Duration of Ultrasound Examination

  Day 1 - At the single ultrasound study visit.

• Part 1 - Feasibility - Patient Feedback Questionnaire

  Day 1 - At the single ultrasound study visit.

Study Arms (2)

CONTROLS

Patients with healthy DTA (30 patients)

CASES

Patients with DTAA or TEVAR (30 patients)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All Participants will receive a single Ultrasound scan as part of this study. All Patients had at least one CT scan of the thoracic aorta prior to the study as part of their standard of care. No additional radiation or invasive imaging techniques will be used in the Thorus study. The data obtained from the CT will be analysed by an independent reviewer and compared with Ultrasound measurements. Participants will be recruited prospectively from a single NHS Trust in London - Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

You may qualify if:

• Patients with diagnosed AAA or other vascular condition attending the vascular scanning department for routine ultrasound and confirmed healthy DTA (Control group).
• Patients with known DTAA (including Type B dissection) or patients who had TEVAR previously (Case group).
• Patients who have had CT as part of their standard of care.
• Patients able to tolerate the scan (Lying in supine position).
• Adults aged 18 or over.
• Willing to provide consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Patient under 18 years of age.
• Previous thoracic surgery or body deformity (severe kyphosis, scoliosis, pleural effusion or chest wall trauma).
• Patients without previous imaging of the thoracic aorta.
• Life expectancy \<2 years.
• Pregnant Women.
• Patients unwilling to provide consent or unable to comply with study requirements.
• Patients too frail to travel to routine outpatient appointments.
• Inability to attend the appointment due to time constraints or other commitments.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Imperial College London: lead

Study Sites (1)

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust - St Mary's Hospital

London, London, W2 1NY, United Kingdom

Location

Study Officials

• Professor Colin Bicknell

  Imperial College London

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Carlos Pinho, PhD Student

CONTACT

+44 20 3312 3374; cv1026@ic.ac.uk

Cheuk Fund Wong

CONTACT

+44 20 7594 9832; rgit@imperial.ac.uk

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 28, 2026
• First Posted: August 7, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 7, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 5, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 3, 2028
• Last Updated: August 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GB (1)