Clinical Trials

Has your doctor recommended right heart cardiac catheterization for you? This study is investigating new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques that use a guidewire to help position a heart catheter within the heart. MRI fluoroscopy shows pictures of the heart so that doctors can watch while they work. Using the guidewire during MRI may improve the procedure of heart catheterization. To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years old, and your doctor must have recommended right heart catheterization for you. This study is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

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 scheduled for open-heart surgery for your aortic valve? This study aims to look at changes in inflammation and gene activity while surgery patients are on a heart-lung bypass machine. To participate in this study, you must be at least 20 years old and be scheduled for aortic valve surgery, either with or without coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study is located in Boston, Massachusetts.

Is your child undergoing heart surgery for congenital heart disease? This study aims to help researchers better understand the developing heart and what controls the strength of its beats by comparing it to adult hearts. Researchers will study small pieces of the heart that are removed as a normal part of surgery or repair for children with congenital heart disease. To participate in this study, your child must be undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and be 18 years old or younger. The study is located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Do you or your child have a heart defect that requires a procedure called extracardiac conduit–total cavopulmonary connection (EC-TCPC)? This study is evaluating the effectiveness of a new type of graft called a tissue-engineered vascular graft for EC-TPC. Participants of this study will have this procedure and several follow-up assessments with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to test the performance of the graft. This study takes place in Columbus, Ohio.

Are you 65 years old or older, and do you have severe primary mitral regurgitation? This condition — also called degenerative mitral regurgitation — happens when there is a problem with the mitral valve itself or its supporting tissue, leading to a leaky valve. This study is comparing the safety and effectiveness of two different ways of repairing the mitral valve: transcatheter edge-to-edge repair and surgical repair. To participate in this study, your healthcare provider must determine that you are a candidate for both mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair and surgical repair. This study takes place in multiple locations across the United States and Canada.

Do you have cardiomyopathy that has led to moderate or severe mitral regurgitation? This study is exploring the best surgical technique to repair mitral regurgitation by comparing two procedures called undersizing mitral annuloplasty (UMA) and papillary muscle approximation (PMA). A UMA is a common procedure that involves implanting a prosthetic ring onto the mitral valve to stop the valve from leaking. A PMA is a newer technique in which a suture draws together the two muscles that connect the mitral valve to the heart muscle prior to performing UMA. To participate in this study, you must be 18 years old or older and have never had a mitral valve repair procedure. This study takes place in Atlanta, Georgia.

Are you an adult with sickle cell disease or would like to help research? Some people who have sickle cell disease are at greater risk for developing abnormal blood clots (venous thromboembolism). This could be a blood clot in the leg (called deep vein thrombosis) or a clot that can break off and travel to the lung (called a pulmonary embolism). This study will look at the blood of people who have sickle cell disease and venous thromboembolism, as well as healthy volunteers, to help researchers develop better treatments to prevent blood clots. Participants in this study must be between 18 and 80 years old and be either a healthy volunteer or have sickle cell disease or trait. This study is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

Are you an adult willing to give blood samples? This study investigates ways to prevent blood clotting in people with sickle cell disease. In this population, blood clotting is the most common cause of vascular death after heart attack and stroke. Scientists are studying the blood of people with sickle cell disease and comparing it with the blood of people without sickle cell disease over 2 years. To participate in this study, you must be between the ages of 18 and 80 years old and willing to participate for up to 2 years. This study takes place in Bethesda, Maryland.

This study is testing whether a new imaging technique can help healthcare providers diagnose venous thromboembolism. To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years old and diagnosed with venous thromboembolism. This study takes place in Boston, Massachusetts.