Investigating the effects of unloading the heart in patients with cardiogenic shock on VA ECMO.

Physiology of Unloading VA ECMO Trial

NIH-funded research University of Utah · NIH-11031982

This study is looking at how a special heart support system can help patients in serious trouble after a heart attack, and it will also test if adding another device to ease pressure on the heart can improve their recovery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Utah NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Salt Lake City, United States)
Project IDNIH-11031982 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on patients experiencing cardiogenic shock, a severe condition often resulting from a heart attack. It explores the use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) to provide life-saving support while examining the potential benefits of using an additional device to relieve pressure on the heart. By studying how this unloading affects heart function and patient outcomes, the research aims to identify optimal treatment strategies. Patients will be randomly assigned to different treatment approaches to ensure robust and reliable results.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cardiogenic shock, particularly those who have experienced an acute myocardial infarction.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have cardiogenic shock or those with other unrelated cardiac conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved survival rates and recovery for patients suffering from cardiogenic shock.

How similar studies have performed: Previous observational studies have suggested that unloading the heart can improve survival in similar patient populations, indicating a promising avenue for further investigation.

Where this research is happening

Salt Lake City, 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 2026-06-13 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.