Volunteers wanted!

We are looking for people to volunteer to take part in a new research study looking at blood fat. A previous study showed around 20% of people in our area have a raised level of Lp(a), which a type of fat found in the blood.

What would happen?

If you would like to find out more, just send me your contact details. (click here) A member of the study team will then get in touch with you. They will ask you a few questions over the phone to see if you are eligible. If you are and you are still interested, we will invite you to the department for an information visit. You will be seen by a specialist cardiologist and study co-odinator who is a nurse or research practitioner.

Here the study will be described in detail and you will be given written information to take away. The team will contact you a few days after this to see if you have further questions and are still interested to take part. If you are, we will ask you to visit us again and sign a consent form. After this some blood will be taken to see if you have a raised level of Lp(a). If you have you will be able to enter the study. We will also take a full medical history from you.

My Lp(a) is raised and I want to help

First of all we will make sure that all your risk factors are being managed as well as they can be. Once this has been done you will go into the treatment part of the study where you will be given either the new treatment or a dummy drug (placebo). Neither you or we will know what you are on. We will then look after you for the next 3-4 years and see you regularly at the hospital. We are happy to arrange a taxi to take you to and from the hospital.

How do I benefit from the research?

You may not benefit from the trial directly – we don’t know yet if this new treatment works. However, you will get consistent care over the study period seeing a cardiologist and specialist research nurse / practitioner during the study time. A lot of people really like the fact they are helping other people as well through taking part in research.

With all research you are free to withdraw at anytime – and of course coming to talk to us about it isn’t committing you in any way.

Interested – please get in touch and we will get back to you.

More trial details can be found here.