Understanding how repeated stretching affects heart stiffness in patients with chronic coronary artery disease.

Repetitive Stretch-Induced Myocardial Stiffening in Chronic Coronary Artery Disease

NIH-funded research VA Western New York Healthcare System · NIH-11109487

This study is looking at how heart stiffness affects Veterans with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction, especially how stretching of the heart muscle from long-term heart issues can make breathing harder, with the goal of finding new ways to help improve their symptoms.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVA Western New York Healthcare System NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Buffalo, United States)
Project IDNIH-11109487 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms behind heart stiffness in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), particularly among Veterans. It focuses on how repetitive stretching of the heart muscle, due to chronic coronary artery disease, leads to changes in the heart's structure that can worsen symptoms like breathlessness. By studying these changes in detail, the research aims to uncover potential new treatment strategies that could improve patient outcomes. The approach includes using animal models to simulate human heart conditions and analyze the resulting cardiac tissue changes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans suffering from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and chronic coronary artery disease.

Not a fit: Patients without heart failure or those with other unrelated cardiovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve heart function and reduce symptoms for patients with HFpEF.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding heart stiffness mechanisms, but this specific approach is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Buffalo, 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 atherosclerotic coronary disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.