Understanding blood flow regulation in health and disease

Vascular Function in Health & Disease: Rehabilitation for Hypertension; Exercise and Skeletal Muscle Afferent Feedback

Phase 1 Interventional University of Utah · NCT02966665

This study is trying to understand how blood flow to muscles works in healthy people and those with conditions like COPD and heart failure, especially during exercise.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment420 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Utah Academic / other
Locations1 site (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Trial IDNCT02966665 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the mechanisms that regulate blood flow to muscle tissues, particularly focusing on the role of the renin-angiotensin system and nitric oxide in vascular function. It aims to understand how aging and various diseases, such as COPD and heart failure, affect vascular tone and perfusion during exercise. The study involves maximum exercise tests and various interventions to assess their impact on vascular health and function. By comparing healthy young and older volunteers with patients suffering from chronic conditions, the research seeks to uncover the underlying factors contributing to vascular dysfunction.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include healthy young adults, older adults, and patients diagnosed with COPD, pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart failure, or hypertension.

Not a fit: Patients with severe COPD or a history of myocardial infarction may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatments for patients with vascular dysfunction, enhancing their physical activity capacity and overall cardiovascular health.

How similar studies have performed: While some studies have explored aspects of vascular function and the renin-angiotensin system, this specific approach appears to be novel and untested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy Young Volunteers: 18-30 years of age with no diseases or conditions that would affect their participation in the study
* Healthy Older Controls: volunteers 65 years of age or older with no diseases or conditions that would affect their participation in the study
* Coronary Angiography subjects: patients undergoing routine coronary angiography
* Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease subjects: patients diagnosed with mild to moderate COPD
* Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension subjects: patients with idiopathic or heritable Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension
* Heart Failure subjects: patients with Class I, II or III New York Heart Association symptoms of Heart Failure
* Hypertension subjects: patients diagnosed with chronic high blood pressure

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe COPD (use of supplemental oxygen, or have a one-second forced expiratory volume of less than 30% predicted)
* History of myocardial infarction
* History of percutaneous coronary revascularization
* History of coronary artery bypass grafting
* Unstable angina pectoris
* History of variant angina
* Ejection fraction \< 50%
* Significant renal disease (Glomerular Filtration Rate \< 50 mL/min/1.73m2)
* Subjects whose medical care or safety may be at risk from undergoing a Magnetic Resonance Imaging examination (e.g. pacemaker, metal implants, certain types of heart valves)
* Subject is pregnant
* Subject has physical ailments (other than COPD, PAH, HF, or hypertension) that would prevent them from study participation in the judgment of the investigator

Where this trial is running

Salt Lake City, Utah

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.
Conditions Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseasePulmonary Artery HypertensionHeart FailureHypertension
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.