Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages Any age to 25

Measuring tissue oxygen levels in children with heart failure

Official title: Utility of Thenar Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) in Pediatric Patients With Heart Failure

Run by University of Florida · NCT02368041 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing how oxygen levels in the tissues of children with heart failure compare to healthy kids to see if these levels change with their condition.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
AgesAny age to 25 Years
SexAll
Enrollment130 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Florida
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Gainesville, Florida)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMay 2015
Main results expectedDecember 10, 2026
Study endsMay 10, 2027
Registry record updatedMarch 12, 2026
Trial IDNCT02368041 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include pediatric patients under 25 years old with stable heart failure due to cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, or congenital heart disease.

Probably not a fit

Patients experiencing acute clinical deterioration, active infections, or other specified conditions may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate tissue oxygen saturation levels in pediatric patients with heart failure using a non-invasive InSpectraTM monitor. The study will measure baseline oxygen saturation in the thenar eminence and assess how these levels change during induced desaturation and reperfusion. The investigators hypothesize that heart failure in children leads to lower baseline oxygen saturation and altered desaturation and reperfusion rates, which may correlate with the severity of the condition. Healthy children will also be evaluated for comparison, while clinical care will remain at the discretion of the treating physicians.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide valuable insights into the severity of heart failure in children, potentially leading to improved monitoring and management strategies.

How similar studies have gone: While similar approaches have been explored, this specific application of NIRS in pediatric heart failure is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Heart failure patients under 25 years of age with a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, myocarditis or univentricular palliation for congenital heart disease who are stable on their medical management will be enrolled.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients presenting with acute deterioration in clinical status
2. Patients with active infection
3. Patients with autoimmune vasculitis disorder
4. Patients with limb deformities and painful disorders of extremities
5. Patients with underlying bone disorders, (e.g. osteogenesis imperfecta)
6. Patients with severe anemia (Hb \<7g/dL)
7. Patients with peripheral vascular disease which can alter the microcirculation

Where it's running

  • University of Florida
    Gainesville, Florida, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Dipankar Gupta, MD — University of Florida
  • Study coordinator: Dipankar Gupta, MD
  • Email: dgupta@ufl.edu
  • Phone: 352-273-7770

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.