Imperial College London

Prof Michael Fertleman

Faculty of EngineeringDepartment of Bioengineering

Professor of Practice
 
 
 
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Contact

 

+44 (0)20 7594 9046m.fertleman

 
 
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Location

 

6.24Sir Michael Uren HubWhite City Campus

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Summary

 

Overview

We have several studies looking at how surgery affects older people

Fractured Neck of Femur

We have taken samples of blood and CSF from patients undergoing surgery for broken hip. At the same time we have also collected EEG data. These samples are being analysed to determine if inflammation occurs in the brain after surgery and if certain metabolites are associated with large rises in cytokines. 

Aortic aneurysm repair

We have also taken blood and CSF from patients undergoing surgical repair of aneurysm of the aorta. We are interested to see if inflammation occurs in this group of patients, and if similar metabolite changes can be detected.

Aortic valve replacement

With colleagues at the Hammersmith Hospital we are planning studies to look at changes in the brain that occur during minimally invasive aortic valve surgery (TAVI). We will be looking to see if inflammation and brain changes are reduced by using cerebral protection devices

Cervical spine injury

Many older patients are admitted to major trauma units with broken necks. Together with colleagues in bioengineering we have undertaken studies to see if immobilisation collars  which are used instead of operations, cause harm to older patients. This has included using CT scans of the neck in volunteers, and will in the future also carefully examine swallowing with immobilsation collars.