Investigating a medication to protect kidney function in heart transplant patients
Official title: Randomized Trial of Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 Inhibition(SGLT2i) in Heart Transplant Recipients
Funded at VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System · NIH-11048998 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether a medication called empagliflozin can help improve kidney health and overall well-being in heart transplant patients who are at risk for kidney and heart problems, and we're inviting Veterans to join us in this important research.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I01CX002816-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048998 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans who have undergone heart transplantation and are experiencing kidney dysfunction or are at risk for kidney disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone heart transplantation or those without kidney dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on heart transplant recipients who are at high risk for kidney and cardiovascular diseases due to preexisting conditions and the immunosuppressive therapies they require. The study will evaluate the effects of empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), compared to a placebo over one year. By enrolling Veterans from six national referral centers, the research aims to determine if this medication can reduce kidney dysfunction and improve overall health outcomes in these patients. Participants will be monitored for changes in kidney function, specifically looking at albumin levels and glomerular filtration rates.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved kidney health and reduced cardiovascular risks for heart transplant recipients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that SGLT2 inhibitors can provide significant kidney and cardiovascular benefits in other populations, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stehlik, Josef — VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Stehlik, Josef
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Pediatric Heart Pump to Let Kids Go Home While Waiting for Transplant
A new ultra-low-power pediatric heart pump is being developed so children awaiting a heart transplant can go home or live with the device.
-
Predicting acute rejection in children after heart transplant
A study to improve how doctors predict if a child who has had a heart transplant will have acute rejection using noninvasive blood markers and advanced heart MRI analysis.
-
Molecular mismatch as a marker of immune risk in heart transplant patients
A study to see if specific biological differences between donor and recipient hearts can predict immune reactions and guide personalized immunosuppression in people who receive heart transplants.
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Fair and efficient heart transplant allocation using AI-powered continuous distribution
A NIH-funded project will develop fair and efficient computer-based methods to match donated hearts with patients needing transplants.
-
Better ways to find heart transplant rejection in children
This research aims to find less invasive and more accurate ways to detect when a child's body is rejecting a new heart.
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Discovering biomarkers to improve heart transplant outcomes
This study is looking at how new technologies can help find important signs in heart transplant patients to better predict and manage issues like rejection, so that doctors can provide more personalized care and improve recovery for those patients.
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.