Improving heart surgery outcomes by optimizing blood flow during surgery
Official title: Optimizing pulsatility during cardiopulmonary bypass to reduce acute kidney injury
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10909850 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changing the way blood flows during heart surgery might help protect your kidneys and lower the chances of kidney problems afterward, so you can recover better after your operation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $181,118 |
| NIH project number | 5K23HL151882-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909850 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals scheduled for cardiac surgery who are at risk of developing acute kidney injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing cardiac surgery or those with pre-existing severe kidney disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how adjusting the pulsatility of blood flow during cardiopulmonary bypass can help protect kidney function and reduce the risk of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The study aims to understand the relationship between blood flow patterns and organ health, particularly focusing on the kidneys, which can be adversely affected during surgery. By collaborating with a team of experts in various fields, the research seeks to develop innovative clinical practices that enhance patient recovery and outcomes after surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, leading to better overall health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in optimizing blood flow during surgeries, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in patient care.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clendenen, Nathan — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Clendenen, Nathan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
SEAK Alliance: Improving Care for AKI Patients in the Southeast
A national, patient-centered effort to improve post-hospital care for people who had acute kidney injury in the Southeast.
-
AKI-related delirium after heart surgery
This grant funds research to understand why some people develop delirium after heart surgery when they also have acute kidney injury.
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Better ways to identify types of sudden kidney injury in U.S. Veterans
Researchers are looking for genetic and health patterns that define different types of sudden severe kidney injury in Veterans to help guide future care.
-
Neuroimmune control of kidney injury using noninvasive ultrasound
A new approach uses targeted ultrasound to gently stimulate nerves and immune signals to help the kidney recover after injury.
-
Structure-based approach to prevent kidney injury from polymyxin use
Aims to block how polymyxin damages the kidney so it can be used more safely to treat hard-to-kill infections.
-
Using smart computer predictions to prevent kidney injury after heart surgery
A machine-learning approach uses routinely collected hospital data to predict who might develop acute kidney injury after heart surgery, so clinicians can act early.
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.