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.

Does your infant have a low platelet count? This study is investigating the safety and efficacy of platelet transfusion as a treatment for infants with thrombocytopenia. Researchers are looking at the positive effects of platelet transfusion against the negative effects, such as the release of inflammatory molecules and the formation of blood clots. To participate in this study, your child must be younger than 6 months old and have a low platelet count (less than 100 × 109/L). This study takes place in Boston, Massachusetts.

Does your infant have a low platelet count? This study investigates immature platelet counts as a marker for bleeding risk in newborns with thrombocytopenia, compared with platelet counts alone. Immature platelets are the most recently produced platelets and may be a better marker of platelet production. To participate in this study, you must have a newborn who is less than 32 weeks’ gestational age, has a birth weight greater than 500 grams, and has a platelet count less than 100 × 109/L. This study takes place in multiple locations in the United States, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Pneumonia is a major public health problem for the elderly and is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death for this population, particularly for elderly nursing home residents. This planning grants seeks to establish a safe and effective dose of zinc supplementation with the goal to conduct a larger randomized clinical trial to study the effect of zinc supplementation in nursing home elderly with low serum zinc levels on the risk, antibiotic use, and duration of sick days with pneumonia. This project has significant potential to positively impact the health and quality of life in the elderly and to reduce the economic costs associated with their care.

Do you have symptoms of a lung disease (such as long-term wet cough, bronchiectasis, or recurrent pneumonia) with no genetic diagnosis? This study aims to develop new ways to diagnose primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) or primary immune deficiency (PID), two conditions that can have similar symptoms. Researchers will combine information from genetic testing, lung imaging, and lung function tests to diagnose and tell the difference between these two conditions. Participants in this study must be 5 to 45 years old and must have symptoms of a serious lung disease but no diagnosis. This study is taking place at multiple locations in the United States and in Canada, including the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Are you an adult who gets little exercise and sits a lot every day? If you sit for more than 8 hours a day and exercise less than 90 minutes per week, this study may interest you. Researchers want to see if walking or standing breaks during long sitting periods can make your heart healthier. To take part in this study, you must be 36 to 55 years old. You also should be able to walk four blocks and go up two flights of stairs. The study is taking place in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

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.

Did you develop atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery? Did you develop atrial fibrillation after a coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery? This study is looking at how well oral anticoagulation medicines work to prevent complications, such as blood clots and heart attack, for patients who experience post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF). This study is in multiple locations around the country.