Evaluating Central Venous Catheter-Related Thrombosis Using Photon-Counting CT and Autopsy Comparison

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.

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