StrokE and vAscular Risk factors contributing to neuroCognitive decline in adult
congenital Heart disease
The SEARCH Study is a collaborative research project investigating stroke and cognition in younger adults with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). People with congenital heart disease are living longer and healthier lives than ever before, but research suggests that over time they are at higher risk of stroke and dementia than their peers without structural heart issues. We need to understand more about how and why these problems can occur, and how we may prevent them.
We are collaborating with our partners at the Pacific Adult Congenital Heart (PACH) Clinic to recruit 400 patient volunteers over three years.
STUDY PARTICIPATION
Are you a good fit for the study?
We are looking for adults aged 18-49 with a history of moderate-complex CHD. To participate you need to be fluent in English and able to provide informed consent.
What would we be asking of you?
You will be asked to come to our research spaces three times over two years to complete a series of assessments. We will do a scan (MRI) of your brain and ask you to complete tests to assess your memory and cognitive function. We will also collect bloodwork and ask you to wear a small heart rhythm monitor. We will ask your permission to review your medical records for information about your heart condition and your medical and surgical history.
Each of the three in-person visits will take approximately 3 hours. We will also phone you once every three months to check-in and ask about any memory or cognitive changes, and to ask about your overall health.
Why should I participate?
Brain health issues in people with congenital heart disease represents a major knowledge gap in care. In addition to learning more about your own brain health, you will help us learn more about how to routinely monitor and treat these issues in the future for others with this shared heart condition.
If you would like to learn more information, or are interested in participating, please email our research team at search.study@ubc.ca.