Using beta-blockers to help heart cells grow in children with Tetralogy of Fallot
Official title: Mechanistic clinical trial of Beta-blocker administration for reactivating cardiomyocyte division in Tetralogy of Fallot
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11080369 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a type of medicine called beta-blockers might help heart muscle cells grow in children with Tetralogy of Fallot, a heart condition they were born with, to better understand how to improve their heart function after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $552,102 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL155597-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080369 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have been diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of congenital heart disease or those outside the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how beta-blockers can stimulate the division of heart muscle cells in children diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a common congenital heart defect. The study focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind heart failure in these patients, particularly how their heart's right ventricle remodels after surgical repair. By using a special imaging technique that tracks the incorporation of a labeled compound into DNA, researchers aim to visualize and measure cardiomyocyte division. This innovative approach could lead to new treatments that improve heart function in affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that enhance heart muscle regeneration and improve outcomes for children with congenital heart defects.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of beta-blockers in heart disease is established, the specific approach of stimulating cardiomyocyte division in this context is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuhn, Bernhard — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Kuhn, Bernhard
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Why repaired Tetralogy of Fallot can cause heart rhythm problems and low exercise capacity
This project looks at whether rising pressure in the right atrium leads to arrhythmias and worse exercise ability in adults who had Tetralogy of Fallot repaired.
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Using AI to predict heart function in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot
This study is looking to make it easier for people who have had surgery for tetralogy of Fallot to understand their heart health by using advanced technology to analyze heart tests, so they can avoid extra MRIs and get better care.
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New MRI techniques to predict heart issues in patients with tetralogy of Fallot
This study is looking to help people who have had surgery for tetralogy of Fallot by using special heart scans to better predict serious heart problems, so doctors can know when to step in and provide the right care.
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Evaluating heart function in adults with tetralogy of Fallot
This study is looking at how well the hearts of adults who had surgery for tetralogy of Fallot are working, using a new type of CT scan to find any problems that regular tests might miss, so we can help improve their care and health in the long run.
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Understanding heart issues in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot
This study is looking at why some people who have had surgery for tetralogy of Fallot experience heart rhythm problems and trouble with exercise, and it hopes to find out if fixing a specific heart valve early on can help them feel better and live longer.
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Understanding heart changes in children with Tetralogy of Fallot
This study looks at how the hearts of children with Tetralogy of Fallot change over time, especially the right ventricle, to help doctors find out which kids might need extra care after their surgery.
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.