Developing new MRI methods for heart and blood vessel imaging

Technical Development of Cardiovascular MRI

Observational National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · NCT04927429

This study is testing new MRI techniques to see if they can help diagnose and manage heart and blood vessel problems better for both patients and healthy volunteers.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment3400 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 100 Years
SexAll
SponsorNational Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) NIH
Locations2 sites (Washington D.C., District of Columbia and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04927429 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to develop and test innovative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques specifically for diagnosing and managing cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart failure. Participants, including both patients and healthy volunteers, will undergo a series of evaluations including medical history, physical exams, blood tests, and ECGs before having their scheduled MRI scans. The focus is on assessing the performance of novel pulse sequences that are not yet available in standard clinical practice, with the goal of improving diagnostic quality and establishing reference values for healthy individuals.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals aged 18 and older who are undergoing an MRI for cardiovascular issues or healthy volunteers for reference value establishment.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to cardiovascular disease or those not undergoing an MRI may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to enhanced diagnostic capabilities for cardiovascular diseases, improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies exploring MRI techniques in cardiovascular imaging, this specific approach with custom pulse sequences is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Group A: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

* Provision of signed and dated informed consent form by subject
* Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
* Male or female, 18 years or older
* Subjects undergoing a clinically indicated MRI examination. Examples of medical indications include known or suspected heart failure or cardiomyopathy, chest pain with known or suspected coronary artery disease, unexplained dyspnea, valve disease, known or suspected congenital heart disease, cardiac masses and known or suspected aortic disease, exposure to cardiotoxic drugs, and systemic illnesses with known associated cardiovascular involvement.

Group B, Healthy volunteers enrolled for developmental testing and establishing reference values for the custom pulse sequences. In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

* Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
* Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
* Male or female, 18 years or older

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

   * Unable to undergo magnetic resonance imaging because of:

     * Central nervous system aneurysm clips
     * Implanted neural stimulator
     * Implanted cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator
     * Cochlear implant
     * Ocular foreign body (e.g. metal shavings)
     * Implanted Insulin pump
     * Metal shrapnel or bullet

   unless any of the above objects have been cleared as safe for MRI according to the assessment present as clinical routine at the site.
   * 2.For examinations that include contrast injection of GBCA:

     \-- renal excretory dysfunction, estimated glomerular filtration rate \<= 30 mL/min/1.73m(2) body surface area.(estimated glomerular filtration rate is only determined according to the institutional guidelines of patients at risk of renal dysfunction and may also depend upon the dose of GBCA administered).

     \-- Known allergic reactions to GBCA

     \-- Subjects may still be invited for non-contrast enhanced examinations or undergo MR examination with ferumoxytol as contrast agent.

     . For examinations that include contrast injection of ferumoxytol

     \-- Known allergic reactions to ferumoxytol or to mannitol excipient
   * For subjects with a planned pharmacological stress test with adenosine or regadenoson the following contraindications will be considered as exclusion criteria:

     --Bronchospastic lung disease with ongoing wheezing or history of significant reactive airway disease

     --Second- or third- degree atrioventricular blood, sinus node disease without a functioning MR conditional pacemaker

     --Systolic blood pressure \< 90 mmHg

     --Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic BP \> 200 mmHg or diastolic BP \> 110 mmHg)

     --Recent (\< 48hr) use of dipyridamole of dipyridamole- containing medications

     --Known hypersensitivity to adenosine or regadenoson.
     * Unstable angina, acute coronary syndrome, or less than 2- 4 days after an acute myocardial infarction
     * For regadenoson only: seizure disorder as regadenoson may lower seizure threshold. Aminophylline should not be used in cases of seizures associated with Regadenoson.
   * Pregnant Women.
   * Lactating Women for administration of GBCA unless the subjects is willing to discard the milk for 24 hours after receiving gadolinium

   In addition, the following exclusion criteria pertains to Group B, healthy volunteers to be considered for reference values:
   * Known history of major illness, including, but not limited to having a hypertension diagnosis in need of anti-hypertensive medication, myocardial infarction, diabetes, familial hypercholesterolemia, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, moderate or severe valvular disease, cerebrovascular insult or peripheral vascular disease, symptoms of angina or dyspnea, current smoker.
   * Decisionally impaired individuals

Where this trial is running

Washington D.C., District of Columbia and 1 other locations

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 Cardiovascular DiseaseCardiacBlood PressureHEART RATEHeart DiseaseHeart FailureNatural History
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.