Search Criteria: Heart Studies;
A Laryngeal Nerve Factor in Vocal Fold Paralysis
A Laryngeal nerve is what helps people swallow, breathe, and have vocal cord movement in the neck. This study wants to learn how the blood vessels of people with a neurological voice disorder compare to people without a voice disorder. A neurological voice disorder is a condition that makes it difficult for a person to speak. People in the study will participate in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. The MRI forms an image of the blood vessels of the laryngeal nerve. People will share medical history with the study team. Participation requires about 1 visit to the study clinic. (IRB#: IRB_00097852)
A Study to Test a Tool to Help People for Anticoagulant Drug-to-Drug Interactions
This study is to better understand the safety of oral anticoagulants (medicine for people taken by mouth to prevent blood clots) which may increase the risk of bleeding events if taken with other medications. Researchers at the University of Utah have developed an app called DDInteract to use on a technology device like a cell phone that allows doctors and patients to make decisions about drug reactions with oral anticoagulants and other medications. We want to see if using the app helps patients and their doctors learn and reduce the risks of taking anticoagulants with other medications. People in this study will participate in a virtual focus group (a discussion together with several people using technology such as a cell phone or computer). The information we gain will help us learn more about the effects of taking oral anticoagulants with other drugs. (IRB#: IRB_00167936)
Biomarkers in People with Heart Failure and Open-Heart Surgery
Biomarkers are a way for doctors to track a persons health such as blood levels. This study wants to see how biomarkers change with normal heart function compared to those with heart failure. The study will measure blood levels before and after heart surgery with a bypass machine (a heart-lung machine that takes over the heart and lungs during surgery). The study has two purposes. One, help doctors learn the differences in heart failure patients response to surgery. Two, identify patients who may benefit from a different type of blood pressure medication after surgery. People in the study will complete surveys and other medical tests related to heart function before and after heart surgery. (IRB#: IRB_00173355)
Building Transition Readiness Skills for Adolescents and Young Adults with Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common birth defects with most major effects diagnosed in infancy. Because there is no cure for CHD it is a lifelong chronic illness. Research is needed to understand the needs of people with CHD as they transition from child to adulthood. This information will improve the care and quality of life for people with CHD. (IRB#: IRB_00156291)
Circadian Timing and Chronic Disease
Circadian timing is when a person's daily behaviors occur such as eating and sleeping. Circadian timing may affect a persons health and well-being. Research is needed to learn if improving circadian timing impacts body metabolism (how a person processes and uses food). Which may lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The research we gain may aid future patients. (IRB#: IRB_00159535)
Creating an Educational Tool for People Using Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are drugs used to thin the blood and stop the blood from clotting. The drug is already approved for use. The study wants to develop an online tool to teach people about the drug. The study wants to learn what people need to create the tool. People in the study will participate in person at a study clinic for about 30-60 minutes of interviews. People will also spend time using the tool while being observed and video recorded. Participants will be paid for being in the study. (IRB#: IRB_00175039)
Cuffless Blood Pressure Study in Patients with Cardiovascular Conditions
This study aims to test bioimpedance technology to measure blood pressure in patients. Normally people measure their blood pressure with an inflatable cuff on their arm. Bioimpedance technology involves placing sensors in the skin for non invasive recordings. People in this study will wear this new device at the Heart Failure Clinic at the University of Utah Medical Center. These will help us get more measurements to see if the technology works. The study session will last about 30 minutes. (IRB#: IRB_00170063)
Genetic Testing in Rural Communities
A genetic test can help people get personalized healthcare (disease risk genetic testing). These genetic tests can also identify people who may have a child with a severe disease so that people can make family planning decisions that are in line with their values (carrier genetic testing). Some studies say there are inequalities in genetic testing between people who live in rural areas and people who live in urban areas. People from rural communities in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming will participate in interviews. People who participate will have considered getting disease risk or carrier genetic testing. The study wants to learn about the genetic testing experiences of people who have and have not had disease risk or carrier genetic testing. The study wants to better understand what makes it easier and harder for people in rural communities to have genetic testing. This will help identify strategies for people who live in rural areas can get the same genetic testing as people who live in urban areas. (IRB#: IRB_00176898)
Health and Safety Consequences of Poor Sleep Health
Sleep is a key factor affecting your overall health. We want to investigate if altering your nightly sleep duration impacts your bodys metabolism (how you metabolize food). We will also look at your physical activity, food intake, and cognition during the study. (IRB#: IRB_00133959)
How does kidney blood flow affect heart failure?
We want to learn how blood flow in the kidneys might affect heart failure. We will test some people with normal heart function and some with stable heart failure. We will also test some people with diabetes. The tests are a blood test, a urine test, an MRI, an echocardiogram, and an ultrasound. We will also collect information about the medications you take and other medical problems you might have. (IRB#: IRB_00154546)
Improving Congenital Heart Disease Care for Adolescents and Young Adults
Congenital Heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common birth defects with most major effects diagnosed in infancy. Because there is no cure for CHD it is a lifelong chronic illness. Research is needed to understand the needs of people with CHD as they transition from child to adulthood. This information will improve the care and quality of life for people with CHD. (IRB#: IRB_00149991)
Improving MRI for People with Heart Disease
People with heart disease may need an imagining scan known as an MRI. Research is needed to improve MRI methods used for finding heart problems and better determining what is normal and what is a disease. These include myocardial fibrosis. The thickening of tissue in heart muscles. The information we gain may aid future patients. (IRB#: IRB_00154019)
Lifestyle Change Among Women at Risk for Heart Disease and Diabetes
More than half of women of childbearing age may be at risk for heart disease and diabetes. Research is needed to know if women who participate in lifestyle change programs have better health in future pregnancies. To do this we first want to learn women's knowledge about their risk of diabetes and heart disease. Second, we want to know what factors women think may help or prevent them from participating in a healthy lifestyle program. The information we gain may aid future women. (IRB#: IRB_00146361)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Atherosclerotic Disease of the Carotid Artery
Atherosclerotic Disease is a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances on artery walls. An MRI is a way to see places that may have buildup. Research is needed to improve the way an MRI automatically and accurately sees inside the artery walls. The information we gain may aid future patients. (IRB#: IRB_00143315)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Development
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is done to form pictures of inside the body. An MRI helps diagnose health issues. The purpose of this study is to improve MRI for better health diagnoses and exam experience. Being in the study requires attending one in-person study visit to have an MRI. The MRI procedure is conducted by lying down in a long cylinder. The study visit will last about 2 hours. (IRB#: IRB_00075295)
Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Detect Acute Kidney Injury During Cardiac Surgery
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complication of cardiac (heart) surgery. Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is a technology that uses light to determine how well-oxygenated a persons body tissues are. This technology is routinely used in cardiac surgery to measure the oxygen level in a persons brain by placing a sensor sticker on the forehead. This study wants to test whether NIRS sensor stickers placed on the skin over the kidney can predict AKI better than when sensors are placed on the skin over the limbs such as the arms and legs. People in the study will receive normal care for cardiac surgery along with adding more sensor stickers placed on the body. Medical tests will be done during the study to track the health of participants. (IRB#: IRB_00179157)
New Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Software to Improve Diagnosis of People with Neurovascular Diseases.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a way to form pictures inside of a persons body. A new MRI software has been designed to improve the quality and diagnosis of neurovascular diseases in the brain and surrounding areas. These diseases can cause problems in the muscles and nerves of a persons body. We want to learn if new MRI software creates better pictures to help people with neurovascular diseases. The information we gain may aid future patients. (IRB#: IRB_00162281)
Patient and Caregiver Perceptions of Family Wellbeing for Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgery may be done to treat a wide range of people with heart and blood flow issues. Many patients with this procedure can be at risk for other health problems and are over the age of 65. The purpose of this study is to learn more about the needs of the family well-being of vascular surgery patients. This will help doctors better understand decision-making for the family's well-being. People in this study will complete a one-time interview and one-time questionnaires. The interview will be conducted over the phone. Participants will be given a total of $100 for completion of the interview and questionnaires at each time point before and after surgery (IRB#: IRB_00166345)
Patients After a Stroke who Have Weakness in Either Arms or Legs
Paresis can occur after a person has a stroke causing weakness in either the arms or legs. People who have paresis are at risk of having spasticity. This is when the muscles stiffen or tighten without control and can cause pain. The study wants to see what patients 12 months after the first stroke have spasticity. Participants in the study will complete surveys by phone or online (such as using a computer) and attend in-person study visits. If allowed, the study visits may happen at home. The amount of time spent in the study varies and can last up to 18 months after the first stroke. Participants will be paid for being in the study. Medical information will be collected to track the health of participants. (IRB#: IRB_00169101)
Sleep and Cardiometabolic Disease
Cardiometabolic disease may put a person at risk of diabetes and heart disease. The amount of time a person sleeps is one factor that can cause the risk of these health issues. Research is needed to learn specific ways to improve a person's nightly sleep that may lower disease risk. The research we gain may aid future patients. (IRB#: IRB_00164764)
Study Cuffless Blood Pressure
This study is developing a new device to measure blood pressure (how the force of blood goes throughout the body). Normally people measure their blood pressure with an inflatable cuff on their arm. The new device is like a wristwatch with a sensor for blood pressure. People in this study will wear the new device while they exercise in a lab at the University of Utah. Other vital signs will be measured such as body temperature and weight and use an ultrasound machine (a way to see the inside of the body). These will help get more measurements to see if the new device works. The study session will last about 90 minutes. (IRB#: IRB_00162369)
Studying the genetic factors in smoking-induced vascular disease
Our study will determine whether people who have genetic variants in nicotine receptors have a higher risk for smoking-induced vascular disease. Then we will study the mechanisms and identify potential therapy for smokers carrying genetic variants in nicotine receptors. Our study will educate people carrying genetic variants in nicotine receptors to stop smoking and will provide potential treatments against smoking-induced vascular disease for this population. (IRB#: IRB_00167355)
Sweet Dreams/Dulces Suenos
The purpose of this study is to learn about how women of color find time to sleep in their busy lives. As well as balancing sleep with other healthy behaviors and life demands. The study also wants to learn the impact of sleep on risk factors for cardiovascular (heart) disease and diabetes. The results from the study will help develop a new intervention to improve sleep for women. Being in the study requires attending about a 60-minute in-person visit. During the visit participants will complete an online questionnaire, time use survey, and cardiometabolic assessment. After the in-person visit, participants will wear a Fitbit for 7 nights. During this time, participants will receive text messages each day to answer questions about the previous night and experiences that day. Participants will then complete a second interview. Participants will be paid for being in the study. (IRB#: IRB_00179415)
Testing a Video Game to Help Transition of Care for People with Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common birth defects with most major effects diagnosed in infancy. There is no cure for CHD. It is a lifelong chronic illness. This study will test an educational video game to help young people with CHD. Being in the study requires testing the video game on a phone, computer, or tablet. Participants will provide feedback about the video game through a survey. People will be paid for participation. (IRB#: IRB_00179379)
Testing a Video Game to Transition Care for Teens with Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease is an abnormality in the heart. This study will test an educational game to help teens and young adults with the disease change from pediatric to adult care. People in the study will review the game and provide feedback. Being in the study requires completing a survey and attending one 30-minute session. People will be paid for participation. (IRB#: IRB_00167531)
Testing Effects of Wearable Sensors on Heart Implant Devices
This study tests heart implant response to wearable sensors using smartwatches and smart scales that measure health, such as weight and stress. People in the study must have a heart implant pacemaker or defibrillator more than 3 months before participation. People in the study will wear a smartwatch and stand on a smart scale. Participants will attend one in-person visit at the study clinic for about 1 hour. Medical tests will be done to track the health of participants. (IRB#: IRB_00177524)
Testing Nectero EAST in Adults with Small to Mid-Sized Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarged artery or tube in your belly that carries blood from your heart to the rest of the body. When the abdominal aorta enlarges the wall weakens and stretches, eventually can get big and thin enough to burst open, which can bleed and cause death. Nectro EAST is a treatment designed to slow the growth and prevent the bursting of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and may decrease the need for surgery in the future. People in the study will be required to come in for in-person clinic visits and be followed for 5 years to monitor the growth of the aneurysm. People randomly chosen to be treated with Nectro EAST will undergo a one-time 1-hour surgery. The surgery is performed through the groin and uses a balloon to deliver medication directly to the aneurysm. The balloon is removed after and recovery is very minimal. Being in the study for both groups lasts 5 years and medical tests will be done to track the health of participants. (IRB#: IRB_00170182)
University of Utah Long Covid Registry
COVID-19 Study
Researchers at the University of Utah have established a registry to follow individuals who are experiencing prolonged symptoms after COVID-19 infection. We are interested in following people with "Long Covid" using in depth health surveys and optional blood draws to better understand this condition with the goal of ultimately developing clinical management strategies. (IRB#: IRB_00140978)