Asthma Exacerbation and Helium-3 MRI

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The goal of this research is to use Helium-3 MRI to see the changes in airflow of the lungs at different times of an attack. These three stages are immediately after the attack, 1 month later and 4-6 months later.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Asthma is a pulmonary disorder that affects millions of people each year. The exact method of exacerbation is still under some discussion. Currently there is no cure for the disorder but treatment is of a wide variety. This study is meant to image the asthmatic lung at various time points post exacerbation. Since pulmonary imaging is currently limited to radiation techniques, this method will allow exacerbated images without the unnecessary exposure to radiation.

Official Title
-----------------
Asthma Exacerbation and Helium-3 MRI

Conditions
-----------------
Asthma Exacerbation

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Drug: Helium-3


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria At least 18 years old Able to speak and read English Acute asthma exacerbation, defined as requirement for hospitalization or emergent outpatient visit, and treatment with high dose corticosteroids ( 40mg prednisone or equivalent) FEV1 < 80% predicted on the day of MRI Attending physician agrees that patient is safe to participate on the day of the MRI scan Exclusion Criteria Evidence of pneumonia, based on chest radiograph obtained within 24 hours of enrollment (if performed) Documented fever or requirement for antibiotics Unable to hold breath for 10 seconds Active smoker or history of at least 10 pack years cigarette smoking Chest radiograph with active pulmonary disease, except for changes expected with asthma (hyperinflation, subsegmental atelectasis) Admission to ICU For inpatients: contraindication to leaving hospital room for MRI as determined by Attending physician and RN on day of MRI Any other concurrent active pulmonary disease or other unstable or active medical condition (including suspected active coronary ischemia, acute bleeding), as determined by Attending physician Pregnancy as self reported Need for cardiac monitoring Need supplemental oxygen at an amount of 4L/min or a facemask

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Asthmatics<br>All subjects will be asthmatics that have had an exacerbation (asthma attack) no more than 48 hours before the imaging session. | Drug: Helium-3<br>* Patients will be required to breath in individual 1 liter bags of gas while in an MRI to produce lung images. These bags of gas are each made up of 333mL of Helium-3 gas and 667mL of Nitrogen. The first three bags will be administered with a break between each of five to ten minutes. Then the drug aformoterol will be administered and an hour will pass. Then three additional bags will be administered, again with five to ten minutes between each bag.<br>* Other names: Hyperpolarized Helium-3;|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Image and quantify variation in asthmatic lungs at 0, 6 months, and 12 months |  | 1 year | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
MRI, asthma, exacerbation, Helium, Lung imaging