Clinical Trials

Does your developing baby have a heart defect? Have you had a stillborn baby? This study tests a new technology to measure fetal heart activity and find possible problems early. These problems include fetal arrhythmia and conduction disorders such as Brugada syndrome. To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years old and pregnant, and have one of five high-risk complications of pregnancy: a fetus with a major congenital heart defect, hydrops, or gastroschisis; a previous unexplained stillbirth; or twins who share a placenta. This study is located in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Have you been diagnosed with orthostatic intolerance? This study aims to find out how the body’s regulation of basic functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure, is altered in people who have orthostatic intolerance. This condition, which has an unknown cause, is characterized by a racing heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness, and other symptoms that occur when a person stands up. To participate in this study, you must be between 18 and 80 years old and have orthostatic intolerance. This study is located in Nashville, Tennessee.

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.

Is your newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Louis Children’s Hospital? This study aims to better understand breathing problems and blood flow through the heart in premature newborns to better detect conditions such as pulmonary hypertension. To participate in this study, your newborn must have been born prematurely between 24 and 29 weeks’ gestation and be a patient in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. This study is located in St. Louis, Missouri.

Has your newborn been diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus? Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a condition in which a connection between two major blood vessels close to the heart does not close properly after birth. This affects blood flow to the lungs and may cause neonatal respiratory diseases. PDA may correct itself, but sometimes treatment may be necessary. This study aims to identify ways by which doctors can predict which cases of PDA need to be treated. To participate in this study, your newborn must have been born between 23 and 29 weeks’ gestation and have been diagnosed with PDA. This study is located in Columbus, Ohio.