Effects of Thymectomy During Cardiothoracic Surgery
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | Any - 35 |
| Updated: | 4/2/2016 |
| Contact: | Nancy J. Halnon, M.D. |
| Email: | jhalnon@mednet.ucla.edu |
| Phone: | 310/825-5296 |
The thymus is known to be the site of T cell development in humans. Due to its location in
the chest in front of the heart, incidental thymecomy is commonly performed during
cardiothoracic surgery, especially in infants and children, so that surgeons may gain access
to the surgical field. This practice has been considered safe because it was thought that
the thymus is inactive after birth. However, recent data using newly developed techniques
has demonstrated that the thymus normally is active well into adulthood. In addition, in a
previous study (UCLA IRB # 02-03-008-02) we have demonstrated alterations in lymphocyte (T
cells) number in individuals who have undergone thymectomy in childhood but we do not know
how immunity is affected. We plan to investigate if immune development or immune function
later in life is affected by the loss of T cell production caused by thymectomy during
cardiothoracic surgical procedures in childhood. At UCLA, a large number of patients are
seen who have congenital heart disease and undergo surgical procedures for correction or
repair and many children and adults are followed for many years after they have undergone
surgical procedures. Subjects for study will be recruited from among these patients.
We propose a study which will examine the number and activity of lymphocytes obtained from
blood samples from child and young adult subjects who have undergone surgery in early
childhood. We will determine if these subjects have had complete thymectomy in the past
using CT or MRI (obtained during routine care) or, for subjects who are having
cardiothoracic surgery, by visualization of thymic tissue during the procedure. In addition
we will give vaccination for a common viral illness (hepatitis A) and measure immune
responses to it (from a blood sample). As part of this study, we will ask for medical
information consisting of a history of congenital cardiac disease and other diagnoses (such
as asthma), a history of infections and hospitalizations, and information about
immunizations. We will also ask about a list of specific symptoms which will give us
information about the function of the immune system.
the chest in front of the heart, incidental thymecomy is commonly performed during
cardiothoracic surgery, especially in infants and children, so that surgeons may gain access
to the surgical field. This practice has been considered safe because it was thought that
the thymus is inactive after birth. However, recent data using newly developed techniques
has demonstrated that the thymus normally is active well into adulthood. In addition, in a
previous study (UCLA IRB # 02-03-008-02) we have demonstrated alterations in lymphocyte (T
cells) number in individuals who have undergone thymectomy in childhood but we do not know
how immunity is affected. We plan to investigate if immune development or immune function
later in life is affected by the loss of T cell production caused by thymectomy during
cardiothoracic surgical procedures in childhood. At UCLA, a large number of patients are
seen who have congenital heart disease and undergo surgical procedures for correction or
repair and many children and adults are followed for many years after they have undergone
surgical procedures. Subjects for study will be recruited from among these patients.
We propose a study which will examine the number and activity of lymphocytes obtained from
blood samples from child and young adult subjects who have undergone surgery in early
childhood. We will determine if these subjects have had complete thymectomy in the past
using CT or MRI (obtained during routine care) or, for subjects who are having
cardiothoracic surgery, by visualization of thymic tissue during the procedure. In addition
we will give vaccination for a common viral illness (hepatitis A) and measure immune
responses to it (from a blood sample). As part of this study, we will ask for medical
information consisting of a history of congenital cardiac disease and other diagnoses (such
as asthma), a history of infections and hospitalizations, and information about
immunizations. We will also ask about a list of specific symptoms which will give us
information about the function of the immune system.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age: birth to 35 years.
- Planning cardiac surgical procedure at UCLA Medical Center.
- For subjects with a history of prior cardiothoracic surgery: undergoing CT or MRI
evaluation prior to reoperation.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unable to travel to UCLA Medical Center for follow up blood tests (infants and young
children in longitudinal study)
- Known thymus/immune deficiency disorder (i.e. DiGeorge Syndrome)
We found this trial at
1
site
Click here to add this to my saved trials
