Investigating the effects of unloading the heart in patients with cardiogenic shock on VA ECMO.
Official title: Physiology of Unloading VA ECMO Trial
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-11031982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | February 9, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $645,394 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168510-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cardiogenic shock, particularly those who have experienced an acute myocardial infarction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cardiogenic shock or those with other unrelated cardiac conditions may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tonna, Joseph Edward — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Tonna, Joseph Edward
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.