Current studies

• Pain in the PACU: Comparison of pain management methods in the PACU and determination of a limit for analgesic administration.

Proper treatment of postoperative pain is only possible if the patient's pain experience is correctly assessed.
The purpose of this study is to identify the correlation between three measurement methods after waking up from anaesthesia and to determine the threshold for the administration of mild or powerful pain medications. This could help optimise postoperative pain management in the future.

Principle investigator: Dr Rik Nieuwenhuizen
Research Centre: Maria Middelares General Hospital

• Diep-Flap The effect of phenylephrine versus norepinephrine on venous return with a DIEP flap

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of two different medications that raise blood pressure (phenylephrine vs. norepinephrine) on the return flow of blood to the heart. These are two medications that have been used routinely for decades, and are also used daily
for many of the patients in our hospital.

Phase 4
Principle investigator: Dr Silvie Allaert
Research Centre: Maria Middelares General Hospital

• SAPB Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

The purpose of the study is to assess the analgesic effect of an Anterior Serratus block in minimally invasive cardiosurgical procedures as compared to a control group.

Principle investigator: Dr Bart Vaes
Research Centre: Maria Middelares General Hospital

• Circumcision: Comparison of caudal blockade and dorsal penile nerve block in adjunct with dexamethasone for analgaesia after paediatric male circumcision: a single-centre randomised-controlled trial

The objective of this study is to determine whether dexamethasone prolongs the duration of the analgaesic effect in a penile block, as it does in a caudal block, in circumcisions.

Principle investigator: Dr Joris Goossens
Research Centre: Maria Middelares General Hospital

• Vivalink: A feasibility study of the cardiac ECG monitor from Vivalink and analysis of ECG signals by open-source algorithms for EWS calculations.

Examining whether the Vivalink Cardiac ECG patch and the Movesense patch are able to measure vital parameters correctly and continuously and can be deployed to calculate an 'early warning score' more easily and continuously. The records of both devices will be compared with the standard vital parameters measured and recorded in intensive care.
This comparison will be performed by combining the registrations of both devices with open-source computer algorithms. This may allow a faster response to deteriorating patients in the future.

Principle investigator: Dr Jan Heerman
Research Centre: Maria Middelares General Hospital

• Cogenius study: A comparison of conventional and cooled radiofrequency treatment of the genicular nerves versus sham procedure for patients who have chronic knee pain: a multi-centre, double blind and randomised controlled trial

To research the effect of both chilled and conventional (classical) radiofrequency (RF) treatment on individuals who have chronic knee pain and for whom conservative treatments have failed. The effect of this treatment will be compared with a sham procedure in terms of knee pain, knee function, quality of life, mental health and overall health care. Patients suffering from chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthrosis or persistent pain after a total knee replacement placement are eligible to participate and will be followed up for approximately two years as part of this study.

Principle investigator: Dr Pieter Vander Cruyssen
Client: East Limburg Hospital
Research Centre: Maria Middelares General Hospital

• XEOS: High-resolution specimen PET-CT imaging for the perioperative visualisation of resection margins: an exploratory pilot study

SQuaD 4 Anaesthesia will provide support for the practical implementation of this study and the data collection.

Acquire scientific knowledge on the clinical utility and radiation safety of perioperative high-resolution PET-CT specimen imaging (Xeos Medical) for various indications. Several disciplines including gynaecology, urology, general surgery, dermatology, nuclear medicine and anatomopathology are involved in this study.

Principle investigator: Dr Tessa Van Oostveldt
Research Centre: Maria Middelares General Hospital

• Avalus European Registry: Real-world results of aortic valve replacement with the AVALUS pericardial bioprosthesis

SQuaD 4 Anaesthesia will provide support for the practical implementation of this study and the data collection.

This study aims to research the outcome of aortic valve replacement with the AVALUS pericardial biological heart valve. This heart valve is also frequently used at Maria Middelares General Hospital for aortic valve replacements. This study will examine how patients fare up to one year post surgery. This is an observational study, with no additional interventions or examinations.

Principle investigator: Dr Dominique Goossens
Leading researcher/organiser: Leuven University Hospital, Cardiac Surgery Department
Research Centre: Maria Middelares General Hospital

• APPIRED III: Alkaline Phosphatase (RESCAP) for the prevention of perioperative and post-surgical complications after cardiac surgery.

This study aims to determine whether RESCAP can reduce the incidence of kidney-related complications after cardiothoracic surgery.
This study will include high-risk patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery who require the use of the heart-lung machine.

Study sponsor: Alloksys Life Sciences BV, PW Wageningen, the Netherlands
Phase 3
Local principal investigator: Dr Jan Heerman

• Ready 1 A phase 3, randomised, double-blind, active and placebo-controlled study on the use of CUSA-081 for dysfunctional central venous catheters.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the product under investigation, CUSA-081, works better than a placebo for restoring function of a blocked central venous catheter.

Study sponsor: IQVIA RDS & Integrated Services NV/SA, Zaventem, Belgium
Phase 3
Local principal investigator: Dr Jan Heerman

• Pijn in de PACU: Vergelijking van pijnbevragingsmethoden in de PACU en bepaling van een grenswaarde voor analgetica toediening.

Studie opzet: Prospectieve, observationele studie

Een goede behandeling van postoperatieve pijn is enkel mogelijk mits een correcte inschatting gemaakt wordt van de pijnervaring van de patiënt.

Het doel van deze studie is om de correlatie tussen drie meetmethoden in kaart te brengen na het wakker worden uit narcose en om de grenswaarde te bepalen voor toediening van milde/krachtige pijnstillers. Op deze manier zou het postoperatieve pijnbeleid in de toekomst kunnen geoptimaliseerd worden.

Hoofdonderzoeker: Dr. Rik Nieuwenhuizen

Onderzoekscentrum: AZ Maria Middelares

• SAPB: Effect van een anterieur serratus blok op de postoperatieve pijn bij minimaal invasieve cardiochirurgie

Studie opzet: Prospectieve, monocentrische, gerandomiseerde, gecontroleerde studie

Het doel van de studie is het analgetisch effect van een Anterieur Serratus blok bij minimaal invasieve cardiochirurgische ingrepen in kaart te brengen in vergelijking met een controlegroep.

Hoofdonderzoeker: Dr. Bart Vaes

Onderzoekscentrum: AZ Maria Middelares