Relieving left-heart pressure during VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock
Physiology of Unloading VA ECMO Trial
['FUNDING_R01'] · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · NIH-11333725
This work looks at whether adding a device to relieve pressure on the left side of the heart helps people with cardiogenic shock who are supported with VA-ECMO.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11333725 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would be cared for at a high-volume ECMO center and randomly assigned to either standard VA-ECMO support or VA-ECMO plus a device that unloads the left ventricle (for example an intra-aortic balloon pump or similar). Doctors will collect heart and lung measurements, blood markers, and imaging to see how the extra device changes blood flow, heart pressures, congestion, and recovery of heart muscle. The study uses randomization and multiple hospitals to reduce bias and get enough patients for reliable physiologic comparisons. The goal is to define how unloading could help survival and to guide future larger trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults with cardiogenic shock—often after a heart attack—who are being treated with VA-ECMO and can receive an additional left-heart unloading device.
Not a fit: People who are not on VA-ECMO, who cannot safely receive an unloading device, or whose shock has different causes may not be helped by this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding left-heart unloading to VA-ECMO could help the failing heart recover faster and lower the high risk of death in cardiogenic shock.
How similar studies have performed: Small observational studies have suggested improved survival with left-heart unloading during VA-ECMO, but randomized trials confirming this benefit are still lacking.
Where this research is happening
SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES
- UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH — SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TONNA, JOSEPH EDWARD — UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--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 below.