Clinical Trials

The purpose of this study is to determine the occurrence of scarring of the heart (cardiac fibrosis) and inflammation in those with perinatally acquired Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection compared to people not infected with HIV. The information learned from this research may help the investigator to better understand the link between cardiac fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction and inflammation in those with perinatally acquired HIV infection compared to the uninfected.

This project will determine the health impact of parenthood on people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The study team will use retrospective data to provide relatively immediate evidence on parenthood's effect on pulmonary health.

The purpose of this study is to look at lung ventilation in people with cystic fibrosis over time (1 year) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with an inhaled contrast gas, and compare these measures to lung function assessed by spirometry and multiple breath nitrogen washout. This study also looks at how these measures change in response to a pulmonary exacerbation and treatment (if applicable). Over the span of a year, participants would be asked to complete 3-5 visits to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). with each lasting up to 4 hours. If participants do not have a pulmonary exacerbation during the year they would be asked to complete 3 visits (one at enrollment, a second roughly 2 weeks later, and the third approximately a year later). If participants do experience a CF pulmonary exacerbation they would complete 5 visits (Visit 1, Visit 2, two exacerbation visits with one before treatment and the other after, and Visit 3 at one year after Visit 1). Only one exacerbation per participant will be tracked. Participants are eligible for this study if they are 18 years old or older, have Cystic Fibrosis (CF) with mild lung disease (FEV1 >/= 60%), and can undergo an MRI. There are no known benefits for participating in this study.

Do you have heart failure and live near Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts? Researchers are testing whether an online program helps lower the number of times patients with heart failure return to the hospital. You may be able to participate if you are at least 18 years old, have heart failure, and live within 30 miles of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Do you have heart failure? In this clinical trial, researchers are using images of the heart and blood tests to learn more about Black and Hispanic patients with heart failure. You may be able to participate if you are at least 60 years old; of Black, Hispanic, or Caribbean origin; and have been diagnosed with heart failure. The study is taking place in locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.

Are you an adult with heart failure? Unplanned weight loss is quite common among people with heart failure. Researchers in this clinical trial are studying whether adding a protein supplement to daily meals can help prevent muscle and weight loss for people with heart failure. To participate, you must be at least 18 years old and have heart failure. The study is taking place in Boston, Massachusetts.

Are you an adult with heart failure? A clinical trial is testing if a supplement drink helps people with heart failure. Participants will visit the study site once where they will be served a light breakfast with the study’s supplement drink. Researchers will perform a physical exam and draw blood several times during the visit. The study is taking place in Durham, North Carolina.

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.

Do you have heart failure and feel that your condition is harming your mental and physical well-being? This study is testing the use of an intervention called positive psychology–motivational interviewing (PP-MI). Researchers are exploring whether this 12-week intervention delivered by phone and text message can improve the physical and mental health of people with heart failure. To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years old. This study takes place in Boston, Massachusetts.

Are you a current patient at Massachusetts General Hospital or Brigham and Women’s Hospital with clinical depression and heart failure or unstable chest pain (called angina)? This study is investigating whether 26 weeks of education and increased monitoring from healthcare managers improves psychiatric and heart symptoms better than self-managed care. This study takes place in Boston, Massachusetts.