Assessing the contractility of human heart muscle under fatigue conditions
Profiling Biomechanical Responses and Workload of the Human Myocardium to Explore the Concept of Myocardial Fatigue and Reversibility
This study is trying to see how tired heart muscle behaves under different conditions to better understand heart failure and find ways to help improve heart health.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Coventry) |
| Trial ID | NCT04899635 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to explore the biomechanical behavior of human myocardium to understand myocardial fatigue in response to varying preload, afterload, and drug-induced inotropy through in-vitro contractile assays. It seeks to reconcile the mechanisms behind heart failure by examining the continuum from fatigue to damage in cardiac muscle. The study will synthesize existing knowledge of healthy and diseased cardiac myocytes, focusing on the potential reversibility of certain heart conditions if pathological loads are addressed promptly. It is designed as a proof-of-concept investigation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 to 85 undergoing open-heart surgery who can provide informed consent.
Not a fit: Patients with ongoing blood-borne infections or those unable to consent due to mental incapacity may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to new insights into the treatment and management of heart failure, potentially improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: While this study presents a novel approach to understanding myocardial fatigue, similar studies have explored related concepts in cardiac function, indicating potential for meaningful insights.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * All adult patients between 18 to 85-years old undergoing open-heart surgery who can undergo the consent process for the study * Healthy donor hearts that are deemed non-transplantable and consent received from a legal representative Exclusion Criteria: This criterion is kept to a minimum since the availability of human myocardial samples is finite and dependent on the limited number of patients undergoing cardiac surgery annually within the local hospital. * Patients who do not have the mental capacity to undergo the consent process * For the safety of researchers, patients with evidence of ongoing blood-borne infections such as HIV, or a recent positive test for COVID-19 (within 10 days of last PCR test).
Where this trial is running
Coventry
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire — Coventry, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Patrick Tran
- Email: patricktranphd@gmail.com
- Phone: 02476964000
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.