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.

The goal of this work is to develop and test a noninvasive ultrasound-based imaging technology to better identify patients at high risk of stroke so that appropriate and timely intervention may be administered to prevent it.

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.

Do you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or have experienced a psychosocial trauma, or want to help research? This study uses positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) to look at the relationship between psychosocial stress and systemic inflammation/atherosclerosis. This study is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and New York, New York.

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

Are you an adult who does not have high blood pressure and is interested in research? This study will investigate how the brain regulates the body’s response to stress and how infection with HIV or pre-hypertension affects regulation. Your heart and brain activity will be measured while you are at rest, during a mentally stressful task, and while you feel angry. The study will also test whether a breathing exercise improves regulation. People with and without HIV and pre-hypertension will be included. To participate in this study, you must be between 21 and 65 years old and not have high blood pressure. This study is located in Miami, Florida.

Are you in need of a heart or lung transplant or have you had one in the past 3 months? Have you undergone a lung or heart transplant in the past 3 months or are you a candidate for heart or lung transplant? Some people with advanced heart and lung disease have heart and lung transplants but these new organs are often rejected. When this happens, patients must have repeated biopsies, which are invasive and expensive. Researchers in this clinical study want to see if a blood test can predict organ rejection and take the place of biopsies. To participate, you must be 18 to 80 years old and be a candidate for heart or lung transplant or have had a heart or lung transplant no more than three months ago. The study is taking place in Bethesda, Maryland, at the NIH Clinical Center, as well as in Baltimore, Maryland, and Falls Church, Virginia.

Are you an adult female with LAM? If so, you may be able to participate in this clinical study where researchers are observing patients who are taking or have taken a certain kind of medication, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), to treat lymphangioleiomyomatosis, also known as LAM. You must be at least 18 years old to take part. The study is taking place at locations in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington.