Improving treatment for newborns with congenital heart defects using a specialized stent
Official title: Commercialization Readiness for Ductus Arteriosus Stent to Improve Congenital Heart Defect Mortality
Funded at Starlight Cardiovascular, INC. · NIH-11006856 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Starlight Cardiovascular, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $500,000 |
| NIH project number | 1SB1HL176266-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006856 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns diagnosed with congenital heart defects that necessitate the ductus arteriosus to remain open.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have congenital heart defects or are older than newborns will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a stent specifically designed for the ductus arteriosus, a vital blood vessel in newborns that must remain open in certain congenital heart defects. Currently, pediatric cardiologists use adult stents, which can lead to high rates of complications and reinterventions. The new stent aims to provide a better fit and functionality for infants, potentially reducing the need for additional surgeries and improving survival rates. The project involves designing, testing, and preparing the stent for commercialization to ensure it meets the unique needs of this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of complications and mortality in newborns with congenital heart defects requiring ductus arteriosus patency.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of creating a specialized stent for this purpose is novel, similar innovations in pediatric cardiology have shown promise in improving outcomes for congenital heart defects.
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
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.