A Leicester team has recruited their first patient to the largest ever pneumonia trial. The After hospitalization with Pneumonia to prevent cardiovascular Events randomised Controlled Trial’ (ASPECT) is investigating whether aspirin can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke in patients who are admitted to hospital with the condition.
The team from the NIHR Leicester BRC Respiratory theme is undertaking the trial in collaboration with the University of Bristol and North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT). The project has been awarded over £2.3 million in funding by the NIHR.
22,600 patients aged over 50 who have been admitted to hospital with pneumonia will be invited to take part at over 60 hospitals across England. In Leicester, our Respiratory Theme Manager, Michelle Bourne, who has a background in nursing and clinical research, will act as Principal Investigator. The study will be delivered by both research staff and the Specialist Pneumonia Intervention Team based on wards at Glenfield Hospital.
She said: “We are delighted to welcome our first participant onto such an important trial.”
“Pneumonia is the commonest cause of unplanned hospital admissions worldwide. It has been shown that patients recovering from pneumonia have an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke due to the stress of infection on the body.
“Aspirin has been used for decades to reduce the chance of having a heart attack or stroke in patients at high risk of either event.”
“We look forward to looking at the impact of aspirin on patients with pneumonia in this trial, to see if any benefits exist for them.”
Findings from the four-year ASPECT study may support future treatment guidelines, if appropriate, for patients with pneumonia. If aspirin is shown to be effective it could prevent up to 3,000 heart attacks and strokes a year in England alone.
The researchers will assess the participants’ recovery, specifically whether they have had a heart attack or stroke, or any serious side effects from the aspirin. This will be done by reviewing the ‘usual care’ health records of participants held by NHS hospitals.
For more on the study please visit: fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR132968