Clinical Trials

The purpose of this study is to non-invasively characterize the fibrotic consequences of single ventricle physiology, its possible solution and effect on lymphatics. This project investigates the response to acute imposition of Fontan hemodynamics by examining the interrelationship between liver and cardiac fibrosis/dysfunction and lymphatic congestion along with a pilot trial of the antifibrotic agent, spironolactone, to prevent these consequences and to determine if MRI can discern these differences. The combination of serum biomarkers and MRI form a powerful non-invasive tool in putting together this complicated web of dysfunction.

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.

Do you want to participate in a study with your child who has cystic fibrosis? This study is exploring computer models to compare cell samples from the noses of people who have cystic fibrosis, their parents, and other healthy individuals in hopes of better predicting how patients will respond to medicine. These computer models may allow medicines to be developed more rapidly and better predict who will respond to a certain cystic fibrosis treatment. To participate in this study, you must fall into one of the following groups: (1) have cystic fibrosis and be at least 12 years old, (2) be the biological parent of a cystic fibrosis patient enrolled in the study and be at least 18 years old, or (3) have no history of lung disease and be at least 18 years old. This study is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Investigators will conduct in-human PET imaging of 18F-fluoroglutamine (18F-FGln) in patients with PAH to compare glutamine uptake to that of controls.

The proposed research study will provide preliminary evidence of the potential to utilize [F-18]FGln as a non-invasive imaging biomarker of glutamine flux and metabolism across a range of PAH subjects.

The investigators' central hypothesis is that early combination therapy with two PAH-specific oral therapies that have been shown to be well tolerated in the pediatric population, sildenafil and bosentan, will result in better World Health Organization (WHO) functional class at 12 months after initiation of PAH treatment than therapy with sildenafil alone.

Do you or your child have pulmonary hypertension and want to help research? This study is looking to better understand pulmonary hypertension in children who have this condition. To participate in this study, you or your child must be 21 years old or younger and must have been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension before the age of 18. This study is located at multiple sites across the United States and Canada, including California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Alberta, Canada.