Clinical Trials

This is a technical development study with the goal to develop 3D techniques for atherosclerosis plaque characterization. We hypothesize that 3D MRI is superior to 2D MRI in characterizing major plaque constituents that contribute to severe clinical events such as myocardial infarction or stroke. The major advantages of the 3D techniques to be developed will include high spatial resolution, reduced scan times, and optimized image contrast. The use of contrast injection is not needed with the new techniques, which is greatly beneficial for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. This is not a funded clinical trial.

Is your family from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, or Sri Lanka? If so, you may be able to participate in a clinical study looking at cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease and stroke among people of South Asian descent. Participants must be between 40 and 84 years old and have no history of heart attack or stroke, heart failure, angina, or atrial fibrillation. This study is taking place in San Francisco, California, Chicago, Illinois, and New York City, New York.

Are you at least 40 years old and living with HIV? In this study, researchers are looking at how effective educational text messages are in reducing cardiovascular risk among persons living with HIV. You may be able to participate if you do not currently have atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fats and cholesterol on your artery walls. The study is taking place in San Francisco, California.

Are you an adult with carotid artery stenosis (CAS)? Researchers in this study want to learn more about the plaque that causes atherosclerosis in patients with carotid artery stenosis. To be in the study, you must be at least 18 years old and will undergo a carotid positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging exam so researchers can lean more on the new PET imaging approach for risk prediction in these patients. The study is taking place Saint Louis, Missouri, and in Los Angeles, California.

Are you planning to have coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery to treat your heart disease? This study aims to use computed tomography (CT) imaging to help doctors and their patients make better decisions about heart surgery. To participate in this study, you must be at least 40 years old and be scheduled for a CABG. This study is located in Palo Alto and San Diego, California

Has your child received a Fontan palliation operation? If so, they may be able to join a clinical trial that is testing whether exercise can help patients who have had this procedure. Your child must be between 8 and 19 years old, had a Fontan palliation, and can exercise. A study team member will observe the participants doing aerobic and resistance exercises live on video. The study is taking place in Palo Alto, California.

Do you have coronary heart disease or are you healthy and would like to participate in research? This study is comparing how well two types of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners can detect different types of heart diseases, such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, congenital heart disease, and heart valve disease. The new type of MRI scanner in this study uses less energy than a traditional scanner and may be suitable for people who have metal devices in their bodies. This study is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

Are you interested in helping researchers understand what causes heart failure? The study is using a technique called magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) during a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to determine whether energy metabolism is disrupted in heart failure and whether this contributes to poor heart function. To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years old and either be healthy or have coronary artery disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, or left ventricular hypertrophy. The study is located in Baltimore, Maryland.

Are you at least 21 years old and have heart failure? In this clinical trial, researchers want to understand why patients with heart failure have trouble exercising and doing some of their daily activities. To take part, you must be taking medication to treat your heart failure for at least 30 days. People without heart failure can also join the study. Participants will have images (MRI) taken as part of the study. The study is taking place in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you want to help find new treatments for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction? This study is testing whether a medicine called spironolactone can help treat heart failure with preserved ejection fraction when paired with the standard treatment. Spironolactone helps to remove excess water and sodium from the body. To participate in this study, you must be between 50 and 99 years old and diagnosed with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.