Abercynon

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction HFpEF occurs when the hearts pumping function is normal but the heart cannot pump blood properly. This condition causes symptoms like breathlessness, swollen feet and ankles, and tiredness. HFpEF is complex and varies widely among patients, making it poorly understood with limited treatment options. The UK HFpEF study aims to improve understanding of why people develop HFpEF, create better diagnostic tests, identify new treatments, and follow participants health over many years. This observational study involves creating a large registry by collaborating across many centers in the UK. The registry will collect detailed information from thousands of patients with HFpEF, enabling researchers to classify the condition more precisely and develop personalized treatment approaches. This platform will support future research trials targeting specific patient groups and enable efficient patient recruitment. Participants will undergo detailed assessments including clinical evaluations, measurements of natriuretic peptide levels, and long-term health monitoring. Researchers will analyze data to identify distinct HFpEF subgroups, understand causes, and improve risk prediction over a 10-year period. This study is designed to provide important insights for better care and treatment strategies, with ongoing follow-up to track health outcomes.

Researchers are studying the use of endoscopic ultrasound EUS in patients with oesophageal cancer to understand how often this procedure changes patient treatment plans. This observational study focuses on patients with potentially curable oesophageal cancer who have already undergone initial staging with CT and PET-CT scans. The study also explores opinions of both patients and clinicians regarding the role of EUS in cancer staging. EUS combines endoscopy with ultrasound to visualize the oesophageal wall and nearby lymph nodes, helping to determine tumor depth and spread. Patients undergo sedation for this invasive procedure, which requires specialized training to perform. The study will include patients receiving EUS as part of their standard care and will also interview clinicians and patients to gather qualitative insights about the procedure. Participants will be monitored to see if EUS changes their treatment management decisions made at baseline. Some patients and clinicians will be interviewed within six weeks after EUS to share their views. The research team will collect clinical staging details, treatment decisions, and patient and clinician opinions, aiming to better understand the current use and impact of EUS in oesophageal cancer care. The study will continue until the end of 2026.