Clinical Research Directory

31P-MRS Myocardial Energetic Phenotyping and Prognosis Across the Cardiac Disease Spectrum

The study is designed to establish a comprehensive myocardial energetic phenotype across a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases using phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS). And the study plans to enroll 1,000 participants, comprising healthy volunteers and patients with diverse cardiac conditions. Target cohorts primarily encompass heart failure syndromes and various cardiomyopathies, with a particular focus on non-ischemic and hypertrophic phenotypes, as well as ischemic and other structural etiologies. By integrating 31-MRS with multiparametric standard CMR, this study aims to map disease-specific metabolic signatures. The primary outcome measure is the myocardial PCr/ATP ratio, serving as a direct in vivo marker of energetic impairment. Furthermore, the study aims to explore the coupling between metabolic phenotypes and structural remodeling (tissue characterization), mechanical dysfunction, and systemic clinical biomarkers. Crucially, the study will evaluate the prognostic value of these energetic phenotypes in predicting clinical outcomes, ultimately providing novel insights into the pathophysiology and risk stratification of cardiomyopathies and heart failure.

Genetic Markers of Cardiovascular Disease in Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common condition which affects over 3 million people in the US. Patients with uncontrolled epilepsy have a lifetime risk of sudden unexpected death (SUDEP) of 35%, which is greatest in those under 40 years of age. The exact mechanisms and causes are not understood but can be due to underlying conditions which affect the heart and brain, which may lead to dangerous heart rhythms and death. Some of these conditions which affect heart and brain have an identifiable genetic cause. This study aims to identify known genetic causes of heart rhythm and sudden death related disorders in patients with epilepsy.

PAtient Similarity for Decision-Making in Prevention of Cardiovascular Toxicity (PACT): A Feasibility Study

This is a single-center, double-arm, open-label, randomized feasibility study that will determine whether a novel clinical decision aid accessed via the electronic health record will be acceptable to both cancer survivors and their cardiologists, will favorably impact appropriate medication use and cardiac imaging surveillance, and will improve clinician and patient decision-making, perception, and behavior towards cardioprotective medication usage and cardiovascular disease imaging utilization.

SMCs With LVH Compared to HCM

The goal of this cohort study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of SMCs and to explore the difference in cardiovascular outcomes in comparison to age-, sex-, and admission year-matched HCM patients. The main question it aims to answer is: * Do patients with SMCs have higher rates of cardiac outcomes? * What risk factors do SMCs patients experience a poor prognosis?

Nitric Oxide in Cardiopulmonary Bypass for Renal Protection in Cardiac Surgery

This prospective randomized study evaluates the nephroprotective effects of exogenous nitric oxide delivered to the extracorporeal circulation circuit during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

The Multicenter Cardiology Monitoring Platform Registry

The multicenter Cardiology Monitoring Platform registry (mCMP-registry) is a prospective observational registry including multi-omics (diagnostic) measurements performed as part of routine clinical care, bio-banking (optional), and yearly questionnaires (optional). It's objective is to optimize (early) diagnosis and risk-stratification of (early) cardiovascular diseases, specifically cardiomyopathy phenotypes, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease, and to create a better understanding of underlying pathophysiological processes.

High Intensity His Bundle Pacing in Heart Failure Patients With Narrow QRS Outcome Study

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) decreases heart failure hospitalizations and mortality and increases left ventricular Ejection Fraction (EF) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, left bundle branch block and QRS duration \>130msec. His bundle pacing has a similar effect in this category of patients. However, CRT is not beneficial in heart failure (HF) patients with narrow QRS. His-bundle pacing delivers physiological ventricular activation and has been shown to improve acute hemodynamic function in patients with heart failure, a prolonged PR interval, and either a narrow QRS or RBBB through AV delay optimization. We observed an acute hemodynamic effect during application of higher pacing output (3.5 Volts/1 msec) in HF patients with dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy and narrow QRS independently of the paced QRS duration or AV delay shortening. This is a single-center, prospective randomized single-blinded study, recruiting a sub-population of patients with heart failure (dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy, EF\<50%, narrow QRS (\<110 msec), in optimal medical treatment who have an indication for ICD.

Non-Invasive Method for Evaluation of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Left bundle branch block (LBBB) exists in about 25% of patients with congestive heart failure and is associated with worsened prognosis. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been one of the most important advancements in the past two decades for patients with LBBB heart failure. However, 30-40% of patients receiving a CRT do not benefit from it. In this study, the investigators will test a noninvasive device to evaluate acute effect of CRT during implantation and at follow-up CRT controls. In addition, echocardiography will be performed during CRT turned ON and OFF to visualize the changes in intraventricular flow and functional parameters of the heart.

PKP2-ACM Natural History Study

The goal of this study is to describe the natural history and clinical events for patients who have Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy with Pathogenic Plakophilin-2 Variants (PKP2-ACM) managed with standard of care.

A Study to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of ATI-105 in Healthy Adults

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how ATI-105 administered to healthy participants at works in the body at different doses and with or without food. The outcomes of this clinical trial will help to determine if ATI-105 may be able to treat patients with Friedreich's ataxia, a rare and life-threatening nerve-muscle disease that worsens over time. The main questions this study is designed to answer include the following: * How do single doses or doses for 14 days work in the body? * Are these doses safe and tolerated? * Should ATI-105 be taken with or without food? Some participants will receive a placebo, which is an inactive substance, so the drug can be compared against it. This will help researchers determine if the drug is tolerated by participants, if there are adverse effects, and how the drug acts in the body and if there are any changes. The study will include some participants who will be assigned by chance to receive an inactive substance (placebo) that appears like the active drug product. Qualifying participants who enroll into the first of two study portions will randomly be assigned to one of three dose groups to receive a single dose of ATI-105 or a placebo. Some of the participants will receive a second dose to inform whether ATI-105 should be taken with or without food. Qualifying participants who enroll into the second study portion will receive ATI-105 or placebo for 14 days and will be randomly assigned to one of three dosing groups. For both portions, a safety committee will review the safety and tolerability data for each dosing group to determine if the dose can be increased for the next dosing group. Participants will be required to stay over night in the clinic for a few days and come back for visits after for procedures that include a check of their vitals and blood draws.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Registry, Biobank and Imaging Data Repository

The Hearts in Rhythm Organization (HiRO) is a national network of Canadian researchers/clinicians, working towards a better understanding of the rare genetic causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD). The HiRO Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy registry, biobank and imaging data repository (HiRO-HCM) is a multicenter study that will prospectively enroll patients with HCM as well as those carrying sarcomeric gene variants predisposing to HCM. The objectives of HiRO-HCM are: 1. to better understand the natural history of the disease and identify clinical markers and biomarkers for adverse outcomes; 2. to derive and validate risk prediction models for disease expression, complications and response to therapy; 3. to better define the genetic architecture of sarcomeric and non-sarcomeric HCM.

Nutritional Assessment in Children With Cardiomyopathy

This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence and pattern of malnutrition (acute wasting, chronic stunting, and micronutrient deficiency) among children with cardiomyopathy attending the Pediatric Cardiology Unit at Assiut University Children's Hospital.

Phase IA and IB Study of AAVrh.10hFXN Gene Therapy for the Cardiomyopathy of Friedreich's Ataxia

The purpose of this study is to test the safety and preliminary efficacy of AAVrh.10hFXN to treat the cardiomyopathy associated with Friedreich's ataxia (FA). AAVrh.10hFXN is a serotype rh.10 adeno-associated virus gene transfer vector coding for Frataxin (FXN). The drug is administered intravenously. This is a phase 1, open label, dose escalation study with a total of 25 participants.

JOint Use of Database to Identify Risk Factors of CARDio-vascular Toxicity Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) might induce high grade immune-related adverse events (irAEs) involving the cardio-vascular system. This study investigates reports of cardio-vascular toxicity associated with treatment including anti-PD1, Anti-PDL-1, and Anti CTLA4 classes using the World Health Organization (WHO) database VigiBase, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris Entrepot de Données de Santé (APHP.EDS), French Système National Des Données de Santé (SNDS) Databases and a retrospective international multicenter registry of ICI-associated myocarditis

Multimodal Physiologic State Intelligence Study

The OMNIPHYS study will investigate whether multimodal ultrasound and other routinely collected clinical and physiologic data can be combined with artificial intelligence to characterize changes in a person's physiologic state over time. The study will examine cardiac, vascular, pulmonary, and systemic physiologic measurements and develop longitudinal models that describe baseline physiology, physiologic perturbation, compensation, deterioration, treatment response, and recovery. The study is observational and will not assign experimental treatments. The goal is to determine whether changes in multimodal physiologic patterns can be identified and characterized earlier and more reliably than conventional single-time-point assessment.

RHYthm and Myocardial Function Relationship Evaluation in Heart Diseases

Arrhythmias are widespread among the global population. Although they can occur in healthy hearts, they are often the manifestation of a hereditary or acquired heart muscle disease, and may be the cause or, more often than not, the consequence. In recent decades, with advances in medical knowledge and technology, non-pharmacological therapies for arrhythmias have become increasingly popular. These fall into two broad categories: therapies aimed at electrostimulation and those aimed at ablation of arrhythmias. The selection of patients eligible for these procedures is essential for the effectiveness of the therapy, the reduction of complications and the optimisation of resources. Not all patients, even those selected according to guidelines, respond equally to the chosen therapy. Other patients, due to their clinical/ECG characteristics, do not have clear indications and remain in a borderline area where the class of evidence and/or recommendation of the guidelines is less stringent. Still others develop recurrences or complications during follow-up that require further intervention. In this context, it is essential in the study of these patients not only to use standard instrumental examinations, such as echocardiograms, Holter ECGs and stress tests (simple and cardiopulmonary), but also and above all to use advanced imaging methods (STE, 3D echo, MRI, CT, PET-CT) and remote monitoring tools that integrate diagnostic algorithms managed by artificial intelligence. In light of these considerations, our project consists of conducting an observational study that includes all patients with arrhythmias who are candidates for electrostimulation and/or ablation procedures at the Arrhythmology Unit and/or followed up at the Arrhythmology Clinic of our Polyclinic, in order to assess the clinical and/or imaging characteristics associated with a worse prognosis in this population, in terms of response to therapy and development of complications. Our main aim is to identify, within the above-mentioned population, the subgroups of responder patients versus non-responder patients, i.e. those with a worse prognosis , who deserve greater attention and more frequent follow-up.

Procedural Endpoint in Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing: Conduction System Capture Versus LV Septal Capture

This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial designed to determine whether direct capture of the left ventricular conduction system must be achieved as the procedural endpoint of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP), or whether left ventricular septal capture alone is sufficient to obtain comparable clinical outcomes. A total of 300 patients aged 19 years or older who have a guideline-based indication for permanent pacemaker implantation for bradyarrhythmia, an expected ventricular pacing burden of 40% or more, and a planned LBBAP procedure will be enrolled at 5 or more centers in the Republic of Korea. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio, stratified by baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF \<50% versus \>=50%), to one of two procedural strategies: 1. LBBP mandatory group - the implanting operator continues the procedure, repositioning the lead as required, until left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) or left fascicular pacing (LFP) is confirmed by at least one predefined conduction system capture criterion. 2. LVSP enough group - the operator may complete the procedure at his or her discretion once left ventricular septal pacing (LVSP) is confirmed, irrespective of whether direct conduction system capture is achieved. The same commercially approved lead and pulse generator platform is used in both groups, so the randomized variable is the procedural endpoint strategy rather than the device. The primary outcome measure is the absolute change in LVEF from baseline to 12 months, adjudicated by a blinded central echocardiography core laboratory. Secondary outcome measures include echocardiographic response, pacing-induced cardiomyopathy, procedure-related major complications, procedure and fluoroscopy time, paced QRS duration, acute procedural success, achievement and long-term maintenance of conduction system capture, all-cause death, cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, upgrade to cardiac resynchronization therapy, and new-onset atrial fibrillation. All participants are followed for 12 months after implantation, with study visits at 2 weeks to 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months. The primary analysis follows the intention-to-treat principle, with a prespecified per-protocol analysis according to whether conduction system capture was actually achieved.

Liver and Coagulation Disorders in Cardiac Transthyretin Amyloidosis

Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) is a progressive infiltrative cardiomyopathy caused by the deposition of misfolded transthyretin protein within the myocardium. Current disease staging and follow-up strategies mainly rely on cardiac biomarkers and renal function; however, the systemic nature of ATTR suggests that additional organ involvement may provide valuable prognostic information. The purpose of this prospective observational study is to investigate liver dysfunction and coagulation abnormalities in patients with wild-type or hereditary ATTR-CA and to evaluate their potential role as novel markers of disease severity and progression. Patients with ATTR-CA will be compared with an age-matched control population with non-amyloid hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, hepatic ultrasound, liver stiffness, and coagulation parameters will be assessed at baseline and during follow-up. The study will also evaluate changes in these parameters after 6 and 12 months of treatment with tafamidis. The results may improve the understanding of cardio-hepatic interactions in ATTR-CA and identify new tools for disease staging and longitudinal monitoring.

To Evaluate the Long-term Safety and Tolerability of Acoramidis in Participants With Newly Diagnosed ATTR-CM (ACT-EARLY OLE)

The AG10-504 study is an open-label extension study of acoramidis in participants with newly diagnosed transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) or both ATTR-CM and transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy (ATTR-PN).

Cardiovascular Multimodality Imaging Study

Determining the etiology of cardiomyopathy is of high clinical importance for optimal treatment strategy and prediction of prognosis. There is increased risk for cardiovascular disease and higher propensity for cardiovascular related mortality among Black and non-Hispanic White patients. Recently, advanced cardiac imaging has become a vital tool in diagnosis and risk stratification of cardiovascular disease. Very limited data is available on the prevalence and characteristics of different cardiovascular diseases in Hispanic and African American minority groups, therefore, studying different racial and ethnic minority groups in the Bronx population is an exceptionally valuable source to determine the prevalence of cardiomyopathies among minority groups along with study survival in this population. This study aims to determine the etiology of cardiovascular disease in a diverse patient population by utilizing various cardiovascular imaging modalities, with a focus on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and to develop risk stratification models by applying advanced cardiovascular imaging markers.

Multicenter Trial of ECMO in Children With Severe Cardiac Failure Using the Cardiohelp System

There are two primary goals of this multicenter clinical trial that combines an FDA device trial and a phase II drug trial in the same study cohort. These two goals are to: 1. To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Cardiohelp Device for VA-ECMO (heart-lung support) for up to 30 days of support in children with severe heart failure with the goal to support its FDA clearance in children. 2. To evaluate heparin versus bivalirudin as the primary blood thinner (anticoagulant) in a randomized trial of children supported with the Cardiohelp ECMO System with the goal to plan a phase III (pivotal) randomized clinical trial The main questions the Cardiohelp single-arm trial seeks to answer are: * What is the safety and effectiveness of the Cardiohelp device for pediatric ECMO? * Should the Cardiohelp device be FDA-cleared for children based on the results of the study? * What are the optimal performance specifications of the Cardiohelp device in children? The main questions the blood thinner randomized trial seeks to answer are: * Which blood thinner is more promising (i.e., more effective and safer) in children on the Cardiohelp device? * How should a pivotal trial of heparin vs. bivalirudin be designed so it is the most informative and efficient to determine the best blood thinner? Children who are receiving the Cardiohelp device will be approached and consented to participate if interested. For the Cardiohelp device trial, participants will undergo a standardized data collection to estimate survival to 30 days and the prevalence of serious adverse events like stroke, bleeding, and hemolysis. For the blood thinner randomized trial, participants will be randomized 1:1 to blood thinner strategy to determine which blood thinner has the fewest bleeding and clotting complications. For the Cardiohelp single-arm trial, participant outcomes will be compared to performance goals (PG) derived from the ECMO literature. For the blood thinner randomized trial, the amount of bleeding and clotting will be measured. The study is funded by an R01 grant from the FDA's Office of Orphan Product Development (OOPD).

Acoramidis Transthyretin Amyloidosis Prevention Trial in the Young (ACT-EARLY) Study in Asymptomatic Carriers of a Pathogenic TTR Variant

Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a disease where the normally occurring transthyretin (TTR) protein falls apart and forms amyloid, a sticky plaque-like substance that accumulates in different organs in the body and can cause damage to the organ. There are two ways that the TTR protein can fall apart. One way occurs as a person ages, where the normal TTR protein can fall apart and form amyloid that may no longer be sufficiently cleared by the body. This type of ATTR is known as wild-type ATTR (ATTRwt). The other way occurs when a person inherits a defective TTR gene that causes the TTR protein to spontaneously fall apart. This form of the disease is known as variant ATTR (ATTRv) and can be detected in adults by a genetic test of their TTR gene before they age. Amyloid build-up in the heart causes the heart wall to become thick and stiff and can result in heart failure and even death. Accumulation of TTR amyloid in the heart is known as transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy or ATTR-CM. Amyloid can also deposit in the nerve tissues leading to nerve problems. Accumulation of TTR in the nerves is known as transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy or ATTR-PN. Acoramidis is an experimental drug designed to bind tightly to TTR in the blood and stabilize its structure, so it does not form the harmful amyloid plaques that can cause damage to organs. This study is intended to determine if treatment with acoramidis in participants with ATTRv who have not yet developed any symptoms of disease can prevent or delay the development of ATTR-CM or ATTR-PN disease. If adults with an inherited defective TTR gene are treated early before any of the symptoms of disease have developed, it may be possible to delay the onset or prevent the disease entirely.

AI-powered ECG Analysis Using Willem™ Software in High-risk Cardiac Patients (WILLEM)

WILLEM is a multi-center, prospective and retrospective cohort study. The study will assess the performance of a cloud-based and AI-powered ECG analysis platform, named Willem™, developed to detect arrhythmias and other abnormal cardiac patterns. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. A new AI-powered ECG analysis platform can automatice the classification and prediction of cardiac arrhythmic episodes at a cardiologist level. 2. This AI-powered ECG analysis can delay or even avoid harmful therapies and severe cardiac adverse events such as sudden death. The prerequisites for inclusion of patients will be the availability of at least one ECG record in raw data, along with patient clinical data and evolution data after more than 1-year follow-up. Cardiac electrical signals from multiple medical devices will be collected by cardiology experts after obtaining the informed consent. Every cardiac electrical signal from every subject will be reviewed by a board-certified cardiologist to label the arrhythmias and patterns recorded in those tracings. In order to obtain tracings of relevant information, \>95% of the subjects enrolled will have rhythm disorders or abnormal ECG's patterns at the time of enrollment.

The PIVATAL Study -Study of Ventricular Arrhythmia (VTA) Ablation in Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Patients

To investigate the effect of VTA ablation at the time of LVAD implant to see if it can reduce the incidence of VTA after surgery