Understanding Heart Fat Accumulation in Women with Small Heart Vessel Problems and Heart Failure
Myocardial Steatosis in Women with Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction: Defining the Pathway to Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)
This project aims to understand how fat buildup in the heart muscle contributes to a specific type of heart failure, especially in women with issues in their heart's tiny blood vessels.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158866 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a serious condition, and women are more likely to develop it, yet there are no specific treatments. We know that problems with the heart's small blood vessels, called coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), are common in women and often lead to HFpEF. Our work suggests that when these small vessels don't work well, it can cause fat to build up in the heart muscle, which might be a key step towards developing HFpEF. This research will explore this connection to better understand why HFpEF develops in women with CMD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant to women experiencing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or coronary microvascular dysfunction.
Not a fit: Patients without heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or coronary microvascular dysfunction may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, particularly for women.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this group and others has shown a link between coronary microvascular dysfunction, fat accumulation in the heart, and early signs of heart failure.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wei, Janet — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Wei, Janet
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.