Imaging the heart's metabolism using a special carbon-13 compound

Metabolic Imaging of the Heart Using Hyperpolarized (13C) Pyruvate Injection

PHASE1 · Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · NCT02648009

This study is testing a new imaging method using a special carbon-13 compound to see how well the hearts of people with high blood pressure and thickened heart muscle are working.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment112 (estimated)
Ages19 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (other)
Locations2 sites (Toronto, Ontario and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT02648009 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates a novel imaging technique using hyperpolarized carbon-13 pyruvate injection to assess heart metabolism in individuals with hypertension and hypertrophy. Participants will undergo MRI scans after receiving a glucose drink to optimize imaging results. The goal is to gain insights into heart failure treatments by visualizing biochemical reactions in the heart, potentially leading to earlier interventions and improved patient outcomes. The study will compare different labeling patterns of the pyruvate to gather comprehensive metabolic data.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 19 to 75 with hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or stable heart failure.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to MRI, severe anemia, or life expectancy of less than one year may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to earlier treatment options for heart failure, reducing morbidity and mortality rates associated with the condition.

How similar studies have performed: While this imaging method is novel, similar approaches using advanced MRI techniques have shown promise in other studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria

* Written consent
* Age: 19 to 50 in Arm 1, 30 to 75 in Arm 2
* Group 2A and 2E participants have left-ventricular hypertrophy
* Group 2B and 2F participants have diagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
* Group 2C and 2G participants are stable outpatients with NYHA class 1-3 heart failure with evidence of elevated LV mass (LVH), irrespective of LVEF.
* Group 2D and 2H participants are stable patients with type 2 DM who have a HcA1c between 6.5-9% on oral hypoglycemic agents

Exclusion Criteria

* Contraindications to MRI or MRI contrast agents
* Hemoglobin ≤ 9.0 gm/dL (only Group 2 participants)
* Glomerular filtration rate (based on MDRD Equation) \< 30 ml/min/1.73m2 (only Group 2 participants)
* Any condition leading to a life expectancy \<1 year
* Medically diagnosed claustrophobia
* Have received, or are scheduled to receive, another investigational medicinal product from 1 month prior to 1 month after inclusion in this study
* BMI of less than 18.5 or greater than 32
* Group 1: medically diagnosed heart disease

Where this trial is running

Toronto, Ontario 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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Hypertension, Hypertrophy

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.