Understanding why heart implants fail faster in children and finding ways to improve them
Official title: Mechanisms of accelerated calcification and structural degeneration of implantable biomaterials in pediatric cardiac surgery
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11009963 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why heart implants for kids wear out quickly, so researchers can find ways to make them last longer and help reduce the number of surgeries children need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $472,787 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL163085-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11009963 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery who require implantable devices.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are adults or those who do not require cardiac implants may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind the rapid deterioration of heart implants used in pediatric cardiac surgeries. It focuses on how certain materials used in these implants, such as bioprosthetic valves and patches, undergo structural changes due to calcification and glyco-oxidation. By studying these mechanisms in juvenile animal models, the researchers aim to develop strategies to enhance the longevity of these devices, ultimately reducing the need for repeated surgeries in children. The research includes creating a bioregistry of explanted devices to gather data on their performance over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved heart implants that last longer in children, reducing the frequency of surgeries they need.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding biomaterial degradation, but this specific focus on pediatric applications is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ferrari, Giovanni — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ferrari, Giovanni
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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.