Circadian rhythms as a target to protect the heart around surgery
Official title: Circadian Rhythm as a Therapeutic Target for Perioperative Cardioprotection
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11378303 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to see if adjusting or aligning body clock signals can help protect patients’ hearts during and after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | May 11, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $626,507 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL165748-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378303 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People undergoing surgery at risk for perioperative heart injury; findings may eventually apply to patients with cardiovascular risk undergoing procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cardiovascular risks or those not undergoing procedures involving potential myocardial ischemia may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring whether timing the body’s circadian clock can make the heart more resistant to injury around surgical procedures. They use a mouse model of heart injury and examine how different times of day affect damage, then look for human relevance in gene activity related to circadian rhythms. The goal is to identify safe, clock-based strategies or targets that could reduce heart injury during surgery and improve recovery. This work could guide new approaches to perioperative care that complement existing anticoagulation and protective strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients undergoing surgery may experience less heart damage and better recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Prior data show circadian patterns in heart injury, supporting a potential translational path to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eltzschig, Holger K. — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Eltzschig, Holger K.
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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.