What is this study trying to find out about central venous catheter thrombosis?

This study aims to evaluate how common subclinical blood clots related to central venous catheters (CVCs) are and how well a new imaging method, photon-counting CT, can detect these clots compared to autopsy and ultrasound. It helps improve understanding of CVC-related thrombosis and is led by Thomas Kander. Participants can expect detailed imaging assessments to address these questions.

Who may be eligible for this central venous catheter thrombosis clinical trial?

Adults aged 18 years or older who have a central venous catheter in place may be eligible. Both deceased patients with consent for autopsy and living patients referred for CT scans without contrast can participate. People with severely reduced kidney function (GFR below 15) are excluded. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this central venous catheter thrombosis clinical trial?

Study-related care, including all imaging tests and trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel expenses to the study site may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants should plan accordingly.

Actively Recruiting

Age: 18Years +

All Genders

ID06417541

Autopsy and Photon Counting Computed Tomography to Evaluate Thromboses Related to Central Venous Catheters (PHOTO CAT)

Led by Thomas Kander · Updated on 2026-04-28

Participants Needed

Research Sites

52 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the prevalence and detection of blood clots related to central venous catheters (CVCs) using a new high-resolution imaging technique called photon-counting computed tomography (CT). This study aims to compare the accuracy of photon-counting CT to clinical autopsies in diagnosing subclinical CVC-related thromboses. The research focuses on both deceased patients undergoing autopsy and living patients who have CVCs and are referred for CT scans without contrast. The study consists of two parts. In the first, deceased patients with CVCs referred for autopsy will receive a photon-counting CT scan focused on the vein with the catheter, followed by a full clinical autopsy. In the second part, living patients with CVCs will undergo a photon-counting CT scan around the catheter site and an ultrasound scan within 12 hours before or after the CT. The study will compare the effectiveness of photon-counting CT and ultrasound in detecting subclinical thromboses. Participants will undergo imaging assessments including photon-counting CT scans and ultrasound scans as applicable. For deceased patients, imaging is done shortly before autopsy, and results from both are compared. In living patients, ultrasound and photon-counting CT results will be analyzed to evaluate detection performance. The study measures include the incidence of thrombosis at autopsy or CT scan and the diagnostic performance of photon-counting CT and ultrasound. Participation involves consenting to imaging procedures and data analysis, with no additional treatments administered.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

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

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Diseased patients with an indwelling central venous catheter and a clinical indication for autopsy
Informed and signed consent from next of kin
Living patients with an indwelling central venous catheter who are referred to a CT scan without intravenous contrast
Informed and signed consent from the patient
Age 18 years or older

You will not qualify if you...

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 in living patients

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Diagnostic Evaluation

Duration - Within 1 week for deceased patients; within 24 hours for living patients

Participants undergo photon-counting CT scans to detect thromboses related to central venous catheters. Living patients also have an ultrasound scan within 24 hours of the CT scan for comparison purposes.

1 CT scan and 1 ultrasound scan visit for living patients; 1 CT scan visit for deceased patients

Long-term Monitoring

Duration - Up to 1 week after death

Results from the photon-counting CT scans are compared with autopsy findings for deceased patients to evaluate thrombosis prevalence and diagnostic performance.

No visits; analysis occurs after procedures

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

Intensive and Perioperative Care. Skåne University Hospital. Lund

Lund, Skåne County, Sweden, 22185

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

Thomas Kander, PhD

Emilia Ängeby Eriksson, MD

How is the study designed?

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Masking

N/A

Allocation

N/A

Model

N/A

Primary Purpose

N/A

Number of Arms

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support

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Published Research Related To This Trial

Histologic changes in the human vein wall adjacent to indwelling central venous catheters.

Andrew R Forauer, Constantine Theoharis

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14514808

Prospective study of device-related complications in intensive care unit detected by virtual autopsy.

D Wichmann, A Heinemann, S Zähler...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29793590

Macro- and microscopic changes in veins with short-term central venous catheters: an observational autopsy study.

Mika M Rockholt, Leila Naddi, Ahmed M Badri...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38166620

Autopsy and Photon Counting Computed Tomography to Evaluate Thromboses Related to Central Venous Catheters (PHOTO CAT)

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