Ductus Arteriosus Stent to Help Babies with Heart Defects
Official title: DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS STENT TO IMPROVE CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT MORTALITY
Funded at Starlight Cardiovascular, INC. · NIH-11243516 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new ductus arteriosus stent designed for babies with certain heart defects could reduce the need for surgery and lower complications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Starlight Cardiovascular, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 6, 2021 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $999,876 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HL158304-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11243516 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants with ductus-dependent congenital heart defects for whom a ductus arteriosus stent could be clinically appropriate.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose anatomy is unsuitable for this specific stent or who do not require ductus patency may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a specialized stent that keeps the ductus arteriosus open in newborns with congenital heart defects, using a device designed specifically for this purpose rather than repurposed adult stents. Researchers aim to test a delivery system and placement technique that fits the tiny, curved pathways in infants’ hearts to minimize problems and reinterventions. The study outlines a pathway to move from feasibility toward safer, more durable palliation for babies who rely on the ductus for circulation. By avoiding open-chest surgery when possible, the approach could improve outcomes and shorten recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the stent could lower the need for risky surgeries and reduce morbidity and mortality for some newborns with ductal-dependent circulation.
How similar studies have gone: This represents a targeted device designed to address a known clinical challenge; prior approaches used non-specific solutions with higher reintervention rates, making this a promising but exploratory step.
Where this research is happening
-
Starlight Cardiovascular, INC.
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tang, Beverly — Starlight Cardiovascular, INC.
- Study coordinator: Tang, Beverly
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Pulmonary flow restrictor for newborns with congenital heart disease
A new device being developed to safely reduce blood flow to the lungs in babies with certain heart defects, aiming to avoid open-chest surgery.
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Percutaneous Flow Restrictor for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) in newborns
A new device-based approach aims to safely limit blood flow to the lungs in very young patients with HLHS, potentially avoiding risky open-heart surgery.
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Creating a new device to help babies with heart defects breathe better
This study is testing a new, less invasive device to help babies with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome by controlling blood flow to their lungs, which could help them grow stronger before needing more surgeries.
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A new stent to keep a vital blood vessel open in newborns with heart defects
This study is testing a new stent designed just for newborns with heart issues to help keep an important blood vessel open, making it safer and easier for doctors to treat these tiny patients without needing more surgeries.
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Improving treatment for newborns with congenital heart defects using a specialized stent
This study is working on a special stent for newborns with heart defects that need a crucial blood vessel to stay open, aiming to make it safer and more effective than the adult stents currently used, which can cause problems and extra surgeries.
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.