Analyzing blood flow in the whole body using a special PET/CT scan

The Application of Total-body 13N-NH3 PET/CT to Study the Blood Perfusion System in the Whole Body

Observational RenJi Hospital · NCT04941248

This study is testing a special scan to see how blood flow in the body is affected in people with heart problems compared to healthy individuals.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment25 (estimated)
Ages60 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorRenJi Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai)
Trial IDNCT04941248 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to analyze and quantify whole-body blood perfusion using total-body 13N-NH3 PET/CT scans. It will involve 25 participants, including 16 patients diagnosed with decreased cardiac function and 9 healthy individuals for comparison. Participants will undergo a screening process, receive a dose of a radioactive tracer, and then have a total body PET/CT scan to assess blood flow in various organs. The goal is to understand how decreased cardiac function affects blood perfusion throughout the body.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals aged 60-90 with decreased cardiac function or healthy volunteers with normal heart function.

Not a fit: Patients with severe liver or kidney dysfunction, or those with a history of vascular-related diseases in other organs may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide valuable insights into the effects of decreased cardiac function on blood flow, potentially leading to improved management of cardiac conditions.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar studies using PET/CT for blood perfusion analysis have shown promise in other contexts.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Nine healthy volunteers with normal EF values
* Patients with decreased cardiac function, while their heart function grading above II(New York Heart Association,NYHA)
* Aged 60\~90 years old
* Written informed consents will be offered and signed by all participants

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of vascular-related diseases in other organs
* Severe liver and kidney dysfunctions
* Patients who are pregnant or breast feeding
* People under the age of 60 years old
* Heart function grading below II(NYHA)
* inability to lie or to maintain posture in the scanner for one hour

Where this trial is running

Shanghai, Shanghai

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cardiac OutputTotal-bodyPET/CTN-13 ammoniaBlood perfusion
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.