Myocardial fibrosis and fat in ART-treated women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
Official title: Myocardial Fibrosis and Steatosis Burden and Region-Specific Predictors of Progression among ART-treated Women with HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa (The MUTIMA Study)
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11594184 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies heart tissue changes in women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa to understand why heart failure risk is higher in this group.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $164,709 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL167645-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11594184 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa who are on antiretroviral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Results may not directly benefit women without HIV or those outside SSA.
What this research studies
The study uses advanced heart imaging and spectroscopy to measure fibrosis and fat in the heart of ART-treated women with HIV in SSA. It aims to identify predictors of how these heart changes progress over time. By focusing on region-specific factors and women, the research seeks to uncover mechanisms that lead to heart failure and sudden death in this population. Findings could guide strategies to prevent heart problems and improve healthy aging for WWH in SSA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier detection and prevention of heart failure and related deaths among women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.
How similar studies have gone: There is evidence linking myocardial fibrosis and steatosis to adverse outcomes, but this study is novel in its SSA regional and female-specific focus.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Longenecker, Chris Todd — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Longenecker, Chris Todd
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Myocardial fibrosis and fat in ART-treated women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
This project studies heart tissue changes in women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa who are on antiretroviral therapy, to understand why they’re at higher risk for heart problems as they age.
-
Heart and liver of the heart: understanding heart damage in HIV-positive women in Africa
This study will look at heart damage and fat buildup in the hearts of women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa to understand what predicts progression.
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Heart scarring and fat in women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
This project uses advanced heart imaging to look for scarring and fat inside the hearts of women living with HIV on treatment in sub‑Saharan Africa.
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Heart scarring and fat buildup in women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
This project looks at heart scarring and fat in women on HIV treatment in sub‑Saharan Africa to find early signs that lead to heart failure.
-
Heart scarring and fat changes in women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
This project uses advanced heart imaging to look for scarring and fat build-up in women on HIV treatment in sub-Saharan Africa to understand what raises their risk of heart failure.
-
Understanding how genetic changes in blood cells relate to heart disease in people with HIV
A study will look at how age-related blood cell mutations and large chromosomal changes might contribute to heart disease risk in people living with HIV.
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.