Investigating blood proteins related to heart damage and failure

Circulating Markers for Ischemic Heart Disease

UConn Health · NCT00762333

This study is testing if two proteins in the blood can help tell the difference between people who have a heart attack and go on to develop heart failure and those who don’t.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment550 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUConn Health (other)
Locations1 site (Farmington, Connecticut)
Trial IDNCT00762333 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to determine if two specific proteins, cleaved caspase-3 and dystrophin, are elevated in the blood during acute myocardial infarction and whether their levels differ between individuals who develop heart failure and those who do not. The study will involve measuring these proteins in patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction, as well as in a control group of older men without heart disease. The findings could provide insights into the biological processes involved in heart damage and failure.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include men and women aged 18 and older who have experienced an acute myocardial infarction, with or without heart failure.

Not a fit: Patients unable to provide consent or those who have had recent cardiac or non-cardiac surgery may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved diagnostic markers for predicting heart failure following myocardial infarction.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of measuring these specific proteins in relation to heart conditions is novel, similar studies have explored biomarkers in myocardial infarction with varying degrees of success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* men and women, 18 years of age and over with acute myocardial infarction (determined by positive cardiac markers -CKMB/ troponin) with or without heart failure (dyspnea, rales, edema, elevated jugular venous pressure, ascites).
* Heart failure can be diagnosed using imaging evidence such as dilated heart, poor contractile function or echocardiographic Doppler evidence of diastolic dysfunction or elevated right- or left-sided filling pressures
* A control group of male subjects age 60 and older without history of MI or heart disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects unable to give consent
* Subjects who have undergone cardiac or non-cardiac surgery in the 3 months prior to enrollment

Where this trial is running

Farmington, Connecticut

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: Myocardial Infarction, Ischemia, Congestive Heart Failure

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.