How kidney transplant affects blood flow in the heart's tiny vessels in people with advanced CKD
The Impact of Renal Transplant on Coronary Microvascular Function Among Patients With Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease
This study will try to see if getting a kidney transplant improves blood flow in the small vessels of the heart for people with advanced chronic kidney disease who are on the transplant waitlist.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Brigham and Women's Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT07222683 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is an observational, pre/post transplant study that uses PET myocardial flow reserve (MFR) to measure coronary microvascular function before and after kidney transplant. The study will also measure blood markers of inflammation and dysregulated angiogenesis to link systemic changes with cardiac blood flow and function. Eligible participants are renal transplant candidates who meet age and dialysis-duration criteria and do not have severe left ventricular dysfunction or prior CABG or heart transplant. Participants receive PET scans and clinical follow-up at Brigham and Women's Hospital around the time of transplantation to compare changes over time.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults listed for kidney transplant who are age ≥45 (or 18–44 if on dialysis ≥5 years) with LVEF ≥40% and without prior CABG or heart transplant.
Not a fit: Patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction (LVEF <40%), prior CABG or heart transplant, those who require revascularization before transplant, or those who do not undergo transplant are unlikely to benefit from the study's goals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could show that restoring kidney function with transplant improves coronary microvascular blood flow and potentially lowers cardiac risk, guiding follow-up and therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research links CKD to coronary microvascular dysfunction and some reports suggest cardiac improvements after transplant, but prospective pre/post PET assessments like this are limited and relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Renal transplant candidate on the waitlist * Age greater or equal to 45 years, or if 18-44 years of age on dialysis for 5 years or more Exclusion Criteria: * Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 40% * History of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) * History of heart transplant * Patients who undergo revascularization as a result of pre-transplant cardiac PET
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Daniel M Huck, MD, MPH
- Email: dhuck@bwh.harvard.edu
- Phone: 8573074000
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.