Autopsy and Photon Counting Computed Tomography to Evaluate Thromboses Related to Central Venous Catheters

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Diseased patients with an indwelling central venous catheter who is referred to autopsy: Photon counting CT is performed and the results are compared to the results of the autopsy

Living patients with an indwelling central venous catheter referred to a CT scan without iv contrast: Patients will be investigated using a photon counting CT. Prior to the investigation patients will be investigated with ultrasound. The results from the two modalities will be compared

Study summary

Central venous (CVC) is essential in modern healthcare but unfortunately associated with complications, including thrombosis. In a recently published study, it was showed that 12 out of 12 deceased patients had subclinical CVK-related thrombosis (Rockholt et al.). To shed light on this problem, the current studies were designed. In sub-study 1, deceased patients with CVC who are referred for clinical autopsy are included. Before the autopsy, the deceased will be examined with a photon-counting computed tomography (CT) scan and the results will be compared.

In sub-study 2, living patients with CVC who are referred for various CT scans without contrast, are included. After informed consent, the patient will be examined with the photon-counting CT, whose reliability has been validated in Part 1 and the incidence of subclinical CVC-related thrombosis will be reported.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• The incidence of venous thrombosis related to a central venous catheter in diseased patients — At autopsy
  Venous thrombosis related to a central venous catheter detected at autopsy
• The performance of the photon counting CT on diseased patients — After death. The CT scan and the autopsy will be performed within 1 week after death
  The performance of the photon counting CT will be evaluated by comparing the findings from the CT with the findings from the autopsy
• The incidence of venous thrombosis related to a central venous catheter in living patients — At CT scan
  The incidence of venous thrombosis related to a central venous catheter in living patients detected with a photon counting CT
• The performance of ultrasound compared to the photon counting CT — Ultrasound will be performed ±24 hours from the CT
  The performance of ultrasound compared to the photon counting CT in detecting enous thrombosis related to central venous catheters

Trial sites (1)