Carnitine supplementation for the heart’s right side in PAH

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

People with PAH often develop right heart failure, which is a major cause of death. This study tests a simple, widely available supplement, carnitine, to see if it can improve right heart function and patient well-being. By using remote enrollment and outcome measurements, the trial aims to show whether carnitine can reduce lipotoxic stress in the right ventricle and enhance daily living. The team has preliminary data suggesting safety and potential benefit, and will randomize patients to carnitine or placebo for 12 weeks.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  Nashville, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Hemnes, Anna R — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Hemnes, Anna R

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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• A biatrial dual‑lumen catheter to help the heart and lungs in pulmonary arterial hypertension

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  NIH research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York, United States · NIH-11418121

• Endothelial inflammation and Src kinase in early pulmonary arterial hypertension

  Researchers are studying how inflammation in the lining of blood vessels and a protein called Src kinase contribute to early lung artery remodeling in people with mild PAH.

  NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11411210

• Cardiopulmonary chip model to study right heart disease from high blood pressure in the lungs

  A tiny heart-lung chip is being developed to understand why the right side of the heart enlarges in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension and to test targeted treatments.

  NIH research Medluidics LLC · Elk Grove, United States · NIH-11410451

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.