Personalized genetics and heart imaging for aortic disease

Novel molecular and cardiac imaging paradigms for precision medicine in aortopathy

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-11457240

This project uses genetic testing and advanced heart imaging to help predict how thoracic aortic aneurysms will grow in children and adults.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-11457240 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, you'll provide a blood or saliva sample for whole-genome sequencing and your routine heart imaging will be analyzed over time. The team will look for genetic differences (single nucleotide variants) that link to faster or slower aortic enlargement using new image-analysis methods. Enrollment is taking place at two pediatric heart centers and focuses on people receiving regular aortic care so your standard follow-up scans can be used. The aim is to build more precise, personalized risk profiles to help guide future monitoring and treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children and adults diagnosed with thoracic aortic aneurysm who receive ongoing cardiac follow-up, particularly patients seen at the participating pediatric centers.

Not a fit: People without thoracic aortic aneurysm, those already definitively treated with surgery, or those who cannot attend the participating sites are unlikely to benefit directly.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could give patients clearer, personalized predictions of aortic growth to guide monitoring and treatment timing.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior genetic work has identified genes tied to inherited aortopathies, but combining whole-genome sequencing with detailed longitudinal imaging to predict individual growth rates is largely new and unproven.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, 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 2026-06-09 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.