A risk score to spot high-risk heart failure patients without atrial fibrillation who may need anticoagulation
Official title: A Risk Score for Thromboembolism in Heart Failure Without Atrial Fibrillation
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11451573 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new tool uses patient data and heart MRI markers to identify heart failure patients without atrial fibrillation who might benefit from anticoagulation while minimizing bleeding risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $231,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HL189472-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451573 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction who do not have atrial fibrillation or other major contraindications to anticoagulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without heart failure or those with high bleeding risk where anticoagulation is not advised may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a practical risk score that predicts stroke and embolism risk in adults with heart failure who don’t have atrial fibrillation. It will combine everyday clinical information with cardiovascular MRI biomarkers to pinpoint who is most at risk. The team will analyze existing multicenter MRI datasets to build and internally test the score, then validate it in another patient group. The goal is to guide targeted anticoagulation decisions that protect against stroke without causing excess bleeding. If successful, clinicians could tailor therapy to each patient's risk profile.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients at high risk could receive anticoagulation to prevent stroke while low-risk patients could avoid unnecessary bleeding.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials show mixed results for universal anticoagulation in this group; this study seeks a precision approach to identify who benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shenoy, Chetan — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Shenoy, Chetan
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.