Developing a new tool for better heart imaging

Reading workstation for clinical contrast echocardiography

NIH-funded research Narnar, LLC · NIH-10690704

This study is working on making it easier for doctors to spot a heart condition called coronary microvascular dysfunction, which can cause chest pain even when your heart arteries look normal, by developing a simple software tool to help interpret heart imaging results.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNarnar, LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Lake Oswego, United States)
Project IDNIH-10690704 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving the detection of coronary microvascular dysfunction (MVD), a condition that can cause chest pain despite normal coronary arteries. It aims to enhance myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE), a non-invasive imaging technique that uses ultrasound contrast agents to visualize blood flow in the heart's microcirculation. By creating a user-friendly software tool for interpreting MCE results, the research seeks to make this diagnostic method more accessible and reliable for clinicians. This could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses for patients suffering from conditions like heart failure and MINOCA.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing unexplained chest pain, particularly women, and those diagnosed with heart failure or MINOCA.

Not a fit: Patients with established coronary artery disease or those not experiencing chest pain may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction, potentially reducing chest pain and improving heart health.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that myocardial contrast echocardiography can effectively assess microvascular function, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Lake Oswego, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.