PI: Osbun

Short study title: Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Genetics Repository

Short description: The aim of this study is to generate a biospecimen repository for the analysis for the genomic determinants of dural arteriovenous fistula pathophysiology. Consented patients will supply a saliva or blood sample which will be linked with clinical outcomes data. The long-term goal of this study is to provide information to help in future candidate gene studies, genome-wide association studies, and/or rare variant analyses. The information garnered may one day serve as biomarkers for patient risk-stratification into more or less aggressive medical therapy and monitoring groups and elucidate pathways to study and develop targeted therapeutic strategies.

Key eligibility criteria:

  • Diagnosis of dural arteriovenous fistula
  • Any sex, age 18 and up
  • Willingness to provide blood sample (20-30cc) or saliva sample

Contact person: Brigette Vaughn, 314-273-0368, b.vaughn@wustl.edu

Enrollment period: January 30, 2020 – Current

PI: Osbun

Short study title: Patient-Centered Outcomes in Transradial and Transfemoral Cerebral Angiography

Short description: Cerebral angiography is a mainstay for diagnosis and treatment of a variety of cerebrovascular diseases including aneurysms, stroke, and carotid stenosis. Traditionally, vascular access is obtained via the femoral artery in the groin, but more recent studies, especially in cardiology, have transitioned to using a less-invasive access via the radial artery in the wrist. These studies in cardiology have shown superiority of the transradial approach in patient safety, patient preference, and hospital costs, but these benefits are not known to translate to cerebral angiography. The aim of this study is to determine the cost of transradial and transfemoral cerebral angiography and to compare the patient-reported outcomes in both of these approaches.

Key eligibility criteria:

  • Any sex, age 18 and up
  • Patient scheduled to undergo 4-vessel elective outpatient cerebral angiography for diagnostic purposes
  • Ability to access computerized follow-up surveys from a computer or smartphone

Patients will be recruited from the Neurosurgery and Interventional Neuroradiology outpatient clinics

Enrollment period: February 2020 – Current

PI: Osbun

Short study title: Genomics and Biospecimen Repository for Patients with History of Ruptured Aneurysm

Short description: Ruptured aneurysms leads to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), a type of stroke that affects ~30,000 people per year in the US. It is associated with high mortality and can lead to permanent or significant loss of neurologic function. To date, it is not known whether there are potential gene mutations that are associated with this disease or treatment response. This study aims to collect, process, and bank biospecimens (blood and/or saliva) from patients who have had a history of a ruptured aneurysm(s). Patients who come to an outpatient clinic for follow-up of a ruptured aneurysm are eligible for this study.

Key eligibility criteria:

  • Any sex, age 18 and up
  • Confirmed diagnosis of aneurysm and SAH
  • Aneurysm secured by coil or clip, treated at Barnes Jewish Hospital

Contact person: Brigette Vaughn, 314-273-0368, b.vaughn@wustl.edu

Enrollment period: October 2019 – current

PI: Ray and Osbun

Short study title: Wearable and Wireless Pressure Sensor for Monitoring Skin Pressure (Mercury Patch)

Short description: Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers are preventable problems that carry significant morbidity despite close monitoring. These complications are more prevalent among patients with neurologic injury or paralysis. Our group and other have developed the Mercury Patch, a noninvasive, low-cost, wireless, flexible patch that contains pressure-sensing and transmitting features that could communicate information about continuous skin pressure. The goal of this study is to use the Mercury Patch to record sacral pressure during prolonged neurosurgical procedures and relate them to patient characteristics and outcomes such as pressure ulcer development and bladder/bowel incontinence.

Key eligibility criteria:

  • Age 18 and up
  • Patients scheduled to undergo any cranial or skull base surgery lasting longer than four hours in duration and is able to follow up for 2-4 weeks after surgery
  • Excludes: patients with existing or prior sacral pressure ulcer, pre-existing impaired skin integrity, history of pilonidal cyst, cellulitis, psoriasis, or eczema, patients who are bedridden or have impaired mobility, BMI > 40, lower back tattoos, allergy to silicone adhesives or Tegaderm

Contact person: Linda Koester, 314-362-7368, koesterl@wustl.edu

Enrollment period: November 2021 – Current