Understanding heart function in children using advanced echocardiogram techniques

Analysis of the Pediatric Heart Network Echocardiogram Database to Establish Left Ventricular Strain Z-scores

NIH-funded research University of Utah · NIH-10662569

This study is looking at new ways to check how well children's hearts are working by using special ultrasound techniques to get more accurate measurements, which could help doctors better understand and treat heart issues in kids.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Utah NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Salt Lake City, United States)
Project IDNIH-10662569 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving the evaluation of heart function in children by using advanced echocardiogram techniques to measure left ventricular strain. Unlike traditional methods that can be inaccurate, this study utilizes automated software to track heart muscle movement, providing a more reliable measurement. By analyzing data from a large database of echocardiograms from healthy children, the researchers aim to establish reference values for left ventricular strain in pediatric patients. This could lead to better assessment and treatment of heart conditions in children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0 to 21 years who are undergoing echocardiograms for heart evaluations.

Not a fit: Patients with existing severe heart conditions or those who are not undergoing echocardiograms may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide more accurate assessments of heart function in children, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research in adults has successfully established similar techniques for measuring heart function, indicating potential for success in pediatric populations.

Where this research is happening

Salt Lake City, 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.
Conditions Autoimmune Diseasesautoimmune disorderautoimmunity disease
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.