Studying heart metabolism using MRI techniques
Official title: In Vivo Cardiac Metabolism in Normal, Ischemic, and Cardiomyopathic Patients During Rest and Stress
Run by Johns Hopkins University · NCT00181259 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if using MRI to look at heart metabolism can help us understand how energy issues in the heart might lead to heart failure in both healthy people and those with heart conditions.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 1988 |
| Main results expected | August 2027 |
| Study ends | August 2028 |
| Registry record updated | March 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT00181259 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include adults over 18 with either heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, coronary artery disease, or healthy individuals without a history of heart disease.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with contraindications to MRI will 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 utilizes magnetic resonance spectroscopy to investigate the metabolism of cardiac muscle in both healthy individuals and patients with various heart conditions, including left ventricular hypertrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease. The goal is to determine if reduced energy metabolism contributes to heart failure and impaired heart function. By measuring heart metabolism non-invasively, the study aims to provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of heart failure without the need for blood sampling or tissue biopsies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of heart metabolism in heart failure, potentially leading to improved treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies using magnetic resonance spectroscopy have shown promise in understanding cardiac metabolism, suggesting this approach is both relevant and potentially impactful.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * age \> 18 years * Healthy subjects: no history of heart disease * Dilated cardiomyopathy: history of heart failure, ejection fraction (EF) \<40% * Left ventricular hypertrophy: wall thickness \>1.2cm * Coronary artery disease: \>50% coronary lesion or positive stress test Exclusion Criteria: * contraindication to MRI
Where it's running
-
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Baltimore, Maryland, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Robert G. Weiss, MD — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Robert G. Weiss, MD
- Email: rweiss@jhmi.edu
- Phone: 410-955-1703
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.