Left-ventricular changes in people with autonomic dysreflexia and long-term spinal cord injury

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational case-control study compares cardiac remodeling in 48 adults with long-standing SCI/D. Group A includes 24 individuals with high-level SCI/D and autonomic dysreflexia, while Group B includes 24 individuals with low-level SCI/D without autonomic dysreflexia. All participants will have cardiac MRI and a blood test for B-type natriuretic peptide to assess heart structure and function. The study also explores how age, sex, injury duration, and activity level relate to heart changes. Findings could improve understanding of cardiovascular risk in the SCI/D population.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* adults aged 18 years or older
* long-term (\>10 years), motor-complete SCI/D (AIS A and B)
* Group A (24 individuals): high-level (\>Th6) SCI/D and autonomic dysreflexia
* Group B (24 individuals): low-level (\<Th10) SCI/D without autonomic dysreflexia
* signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* congenital heart defects
* valvular disease(s)
* cardiomyopathy
* medium to severe arrhythmia
* myocardial infarction
* comorbidities causing morphologic heart changes including primary hypertension, aortic stenosis
* comorbidities causing arterial hypertension
* use of anti-hypertensive treatment
* smokers
* individuals after sacral deafferentation surgery
* pregnancy
* active implanted medical devices
* claustrophobia
* inability to comply with the measurement procedures

Where it's running

• Swiss Paraplegic Center
  Nottwil, Switzerland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jens Wöllner, Prof. Dr. med. — Swiss Paraplegic Centre
• Study coordinator: Jörg Krebs, PD Dr. med. vet. PhD
• Email: joerg.krebs@paraplegie.ch
• Phone: +41 41 939 5946

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.