Understanding heart muscle changes due to mitral valve problems
Official title: Mechanism of Eccentric Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy Secondary to Mitral Regurgitation
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-11075371 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the heart changes when someone has mitral regurgitation, a common heart valve problem, and aims to understand why the heart can become enlarged and weak over time, which could help find better ways to treat patients with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $534,740 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166513-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075371 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation who are experiencing heart muscle changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild mitral regurgitation or those without any heart valve disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the heart muscle adapts and changes in response to mitral regurgitation, a common heart valve disorder. It focuses on the molecular mechanisms that lead to heart muscle enlargement and dysfunction over time. By using advanced animal models, the research aims to uncover the underlying processes that contribute to heart failure in patients with severe mitral regurgitation. This knowledge could help develop better treatment strategies for managing this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients suffering from heart failure due to mitral regurgitation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding heart muscle changes in other forms of heart disease, but this specific approach to mitral regurgitation is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Drakos, Stavros George — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Drakos, Stavros George
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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EVOLVE-MR: Extending Valve-Surgery Outcomes to Real-World Patients with Mitral Regurgitation
Aims to make the evidence from landmark valve surgery trials applicable to the everyday patients with mitral regurgitation by linking trial data with Medicare records to understand real-world outcomes.
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Decoupling heart valve fibrosis from ventricular remodeling in degenerative mitral regurgitation
A medication-based approach aims to block a specific serotonin receptor to prevent harmful changes in the heart valve and surrounding tissue for people with degenerative mitral regurgitation.
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Why the heart enlarges with mitral valve leakage (mitral regurgitation)
This project looks at how leaking of the mitral valve causes heart muscle cells to stretch and the left ventricle to enlarge in adults with mitral regurgitation.
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Better defining non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with functional mitral regurgitation to predict treatment outcomes
The team will use advanced heart MRI to better classify people with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and functional mitral regurgitation so doctors can predict which treatments may work best.
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Comparing two treatments for severe mitral regurgitation
This study is looking at how two different treatments for degenerative mitral regurgitation—one done through a small tube and the other through traditional surgery—affect patients' health and experiences, so we can better understand which option might work best for you over time.
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Improving treatment predictions for heart patients with mitral valve issues
This study is looking at how to better understand and treat heart problems in people with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and leaky heart valves, using advanced imaging techniques to help doctors choose the best treatments for each patient.
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.