Understanding how coronary microvascular dysfunction can lead to heart failure in women.
Official title: Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) - Mechanisms of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction Leading to Pre-Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-10576287 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how problems with small blood vessels in the heart can lead to heart failure, especially in women, and it aims to find better treatments for those at risk due to factors like high blood pressure, obesity, and changes in estrogen levels.
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 start | May 1, 2019 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $616,836 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL146158-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10576287 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women experiencing symptoms of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, particularly those with risk factors like hypertension or obesity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with obstructive coronary artery disease or those not exhibiting symptoms related to heart failure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) and its role in leading to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), particularly in women. The study focuses on how risk factors like hypertension, obesity, and estrogen loss contribute to CMD, which can cause ischemia and myocardial damage without obstructive coronary artery disease. By identifying the underlying causes and effects of CMD, the research aims to develop targeted therapies for patients at risk of HFpEF.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for women at risk of heart failure due to coronary microvascular dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding coronary microvascular dysfunction, but this specific approach to targeting CMD as a precursor to HFpEF is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bairey Merz, Cathleen Noel — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bairey Merz, Cathleen Noel
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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.