Clinical Research Directory

The Genetic Basis of Congenital Heart Disease in Africa

Recent advances in genomic techniques are making possible a new wave of genetic discovery in congenital heart disease (CHD). Existing data suggests that CHD occur in Sub-Saharan Africa at frequencies similar to the rest of the world. In this application, we propose to utilize the unique advantages of Sub-Saharan Africa - a combination of the most genetically diverse populations in the world and of diminished environmental background effects (i.e. low prevalence of smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity in comparison to western countries) - to better understand the genetic basis for congenital heart disease. We will couple next generation genomic techniques with more traditional gene discovery methods to investigate CHD in two African countries: Uganda and Nigeria. The inclusion of syndromic and non-syndromic CHD observed in these populations as well as careful phenotyping (including echocardiography) will greatly enhance our potential to provide insight into the genetic architecture of CHD in African populations. To accomplish this, we plan to enroll families, in whom members have congenital heart malformations consistent with an error of early human development in our research protocol. Patients will be enrolled at the Uganda Heart Institute in Kampala, Uganda, and at the Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria, with the potential to include other African sites. High throughput genomic studies will be done at the NIH....

An Observational Study to Learn More About How Safe Rivaroxaban is And How Well it Works in Children With Congenital Heart Disease Who Had a Heart Surgery Called the Fontan Procedure

This is an observational study in which the data from children with congenital heart disease will be collected and studied. These children will include those who are prescribed rivaroxaban by their doctors after a heart surgery called the Fontan procedure. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a heart problem that some children are born with. It sometimes requires a surgery called the Fontan procedure to improve the blood flow in the body. The Fontan procedure can increase the risk of the formation of blood clots in the blood vessels (called thrombosis), which might lead to death. The study drug, rivaroxaban, is an approved treatment for preventing the formation of blood clots. It is a type of anticoagulant that prevents the blood from clotting by blocking a protein responsible for it. Rivaroxaban can increase the risk of bleeding. A previous study suggested that the number of major bleeding episodes did not differ much while taking rivaroxaban compared to aspirin in children with CHD who had undergone the Fontan procedure. However, there is limited information available for Japanese patients. To better understand the safety and potential risks of this drug in children, more knowledge is needed about the use of rivaroxaban in the real world. The main purpose of this study is to learn more about the occurrence of major bleeding or non-major bleeding in children who were treated with rivaroxaban. Major bleeding is defined as a serious or life-threatening bleeding episode that can have an impact on a person's health and requires medical attention. Non-major bleeding is defined as a type of bleeding that may negatively impact a person's health if not treated. The data will be collected from December 2023 to June 2026. Researchers will observe each participant for up to 30 days after stopping the treatment or for a maximum of 2 years. In this study, only available data from regular health visits will be collected. No visits or tests are required as part of this study. Researchers will use the medical records or interview the children and/or their guardians during regular visits.

Exergame-Based Physical Activity Promotion for Children and Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a Nintendo Switch-based exergame physical activity program can help children and adolescents with congenital heart disease increase their physical activity. It will also learn about the safety, acceptability, and feasibility of this program. The study will include children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years who have congenital heart disease, have received surgical or interventional treatment, and are clinically stable. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the exergame-based program increase the amount of time participants spend in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day? Is the exergame-based program safe, acceptable, and feasible for children and adolescents with congenital heart disease? All participants will receive the same exergame-based physical activity program. Researchers will use different baseline observation periods to help understand whether changes in physical activity happen after the program starts. Participants will: Wear an activity monitor to measure daily physical activity. Complete a baseline observation period lasting 7, 14, or 21 days. Take part in a 12-week Nintendo Switch-based exergame physical activity program with guidance, goal setting, self-monitoring, feedback, and caregiver support. Complete a 2-week observation period after the program to see whether physical activity changes are maintained. Complete study assessments at screening, the end of baseline, week 4, week 8, week 12, and the end of the observation period. Researchers will also collect information on step counts, energy expenditure, self-reported physical activity, exercise capacity, quality of life, adherence, acceptability, and adverse events.

Propranolol Treatment for Postoperative Chylothorax

Postoperative chylothorax is a serious complication after open heart surgery for pediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). While it was thought to be mechanical injury to the thoracic duct, recent research demonstrated that there are intrinsically abnormal lung lymphatics in CHD patients, and after open heart surgery, the fluid shifts that occur overwhelms these abnormal lung lymphatics. As a result, postoperative chylothorax occurs. Propranolol has been found to be helpful in resolving postoperative chylothorax very quickly (9 days) in a subset of postoperative chylothorax patients (60%). However, it is not known why some patients respond and some do not. The investigators hypothesize that propranolol is safe to use in this patient population, and that certain clinical factors will predict propranolol response, but more importantly, some clinical factors can be optimize to allow more patients with postoperative chylothorax to respond to and benefit from propranolol. In order to improve the understanding of how propranolol works and to maximize benefit to patients, the investigators propose to perform a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial to learn how to best use propranolol in patients with postoperative chylothorax.

PDA for Kidneys Study

The goal of this observational study is to gather more information on kidney oxygen levels in babies with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and evaluate the relationships between kidney oxygen levels, PDA status and kidney injury. Researchers will do this by looking at ultrasound images of the heart, analyzing substances in the urine, and evaluating oxygen levels in the kidneys.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children With Congenital Heart Disease

Children with congenital heart disease are at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, these disorders impacting their quality of life and their integration into society. The aim of this study is to detect neurodevelopmental disorders in children (aged from 6 to 66 months) with congenital heart disease in Nord-Pas-De-Calais (France) and to evaluate the frequency and risk factors of these neurodevelopmental disorders for a better follow-up. This study will help implementing a specific program for the evaluation and management of neurodevelopmental disorders in children suffering from congenital heart disease in Nord-Pas-De-Calais and more globally, in the region Hauts-De-France.

Effectiveness of High-Energy Density Enteral Nutrition for Enhancing Physical Growth and Cognitive Brain Development in Infants With Congenital Heart Disease

The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of high and ordinary energy density enteral nutrition for improving physical growth and brain cognitive development in infants with congenital heart disease after operation, as well as evaluate the safety of interventions.

Application of a Clinical Decision Support System to Reduce Mechanical Ventilation Duration After Cardiac Surgery in Children

The goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of a clinical decision support system (CDSS) in children receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) after surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD). The main question it aims to answer is: -What is the impact of a CDSS designed to facilitate weaning and discontinuation of MV on the duration of MV in post-operative congenital cardiac surgery patients? Participants will be identified as eligible to initiate weaning from mechanical ventilation. Providers will decide whether or not to initiate weaning based on recommendations provided by the CDSS. Researchers will compare patients exposed to the CDSS with a historical cohort to see if the CDSS facilitated a decrease in MV duration.

Empowering Families in Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery: A RAM-Based Approach

The purpose of this clinical trial is to learn about the effects of a nursing support program designed for families of children aged 1 to 3 years who have undergone heart surgery. This program aims to improve parents' caregiving skills and support the healthy growth of their children. The primary questions the study aims to answer are: Does the nursing program positively affect the physical growth of children, such as their height and weight? Does the program improve children's scores on general development tests (Denver II)? Do parents' attitudes toward child feeding and their confidence in parenting skills increase? Researchers will divide participants into two groups: Experimental Group: Families who participate in the nursing education program and receive an informative booklet. Control Group: Families who only receive an informative booklet and continue with routine hospital follow-ups. The researchers will compare these two groups to see if participating in the nursing program leads to better results for the children's development and the families' skills. Participants will be asked to: Attend 5 different education and counseling sessions, starting one week before surgery and continuing until the child reaches 1 year of follow-up. Meet with the researcher at specific intervals (at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months) for one year to monitor the child's development (height, weight, head circumference) and skills. Complete surveys regarding child feeding attitudes and parenting skills at the 6th and 12th month follow-ups.

Fontan Associated Liver Disease and the Evaluation of Biomarkers for Disease Severity Assessment

Background: In Fontan Associated Liver Disease (FALD), congestion of blood in the liver causes cirrhosis. This condition can cause death. Researchers want to understand what triggers this process and find new treatments for it. Objective: To understand how long-term congestion of blood in the liver causes liver scarring that eventually leads to cirrhosis. Eligibility: People aged 18 and older who are at risk of developing FALD from the Fontan procedure. Design: Participants will be screened with: Medical history Physical exam Blood and urine tests Liver ultrasound. This uses sound waves to take pictures of the body. Participants will have an outpatient visit within 12 weeks after screening. Within 24 weeks later, they will have a 3-day hospital stay. About 2 weeks later, they will have a follow-up visit. Visits will include repeats of the screening tests and: Heart tests Stool collection Questionnaires MRI of the liver. Participants will lie on a bed that slides in and out of the scanner. They will receive a contrast agent injected into a vein. While in the scanner, they will also have an MRCP to view the bile ducts and the pancreatic duct. Fibroscan exam. This is an ultrasound that uses a special probe to look at the toughness of the liver. Upper endoscopy. This uses a thin scope to look inside the upper digestive tract. Liver biopsy. This will be taken through large vein in the neck or through the chest. Just before the biopsy, participants will have pressure measurements inside their liver. For this, a catheter will be inserted into a neck vein and guided into the liver.

Prenatal Maternal Mental Health and Neurodevelopment in Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of congenital malformations, representing 1% of live births. Progress in surgical care have led to the dramatic increase in the population of children and adults living with heart disease. As survival is no longer a concern, long-term outcomes have become the major public health issue. Prenatal diagnosis of CHD requiring open-heart surgery can be a traumatic event for expecting mothers and fathers. In the general population, maternal mental health distress is associated with fetal disturbances in the hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary system axis, restricted intrauterine growth and adverse outcomes in the offspring. It is unknown whether prenatal maternal psychological distress have an impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes in CHD. Our national study seeks to (1) characterize the impact of prenatal maternal psychological distress on neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 1 for children with CHD who undergo neonatal open-heart surgery; (2) investigate the sociodemographic and medical determinants associated with prenatal maternal mental health of women carrying a foetus diagnosed with complex CHD; (3) explore the mediating role of prenatal risk factors (i.e., sociodemographic, medical and maternal coping mechanisms) in the association of prenatal maternal mental health (i.e., distress, anxiety and depression) and neurodevelopment in children with CHD; and (4) explore the impact of paternal or the co-parent's mental health impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 1 in children with CHD. This study is a non-interventional, prospective, and longitudinal study of prenatal maternal mental health and subsequent child's neurodevelopmental and behavioural outcomes. It includes a follow-up period from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy until the child's first year of life. It will include children with a prenatally diagnosed heart defect requiring open-heart surgery within the first weeks of life. Understanding and preventing the neurodevelopmental sequelae of heart disease diagnosed in-utero is a public health priority.

Development of CIRC Technologies

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Advanced cardiovascular imaging using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has proven to be effective in providing gold standard myocardial tissue characterization. Moreover, the intrinsic advantage of MRI's lack of exposure to ionizing radiation is particularly beneficial. At the same time, blood work can be very useful in early detection of certain cardiomyopathy, such as amyloid. However, there is a lack of agreement of on which markers are the most sensitive. This multi-study will allow us the unique opportunity to form a more comprehensive understanding for various cardiovascular diseases. Our team has developed novel cardiac MRI techniques that leverages endogenous tissue properties to reveal a milieu of deep tissue phenotypes including myocardial inflammation, fibrosis, metabolism, and microstructural defects. Among these phenotypes, myocardial microstructure has proven to be most sensitive to early myocardial tissue damage and is predictive of myocardial regeneration. In this study, the investigators aim to further study the importance of cardiac microstructure revealed by MRI in patient and healthy population and compare this novel technology with conventional clinical biomarkers.

Molecular and Cellular Characterization of Cardiac Tissue in Postnatal Development

The study team will use small pieces of human hearts which are removed as part of a required surgical procedure to study different objectives. One of the objective is how calcium ions pass through the membrane of heart cells in order to tell the heart cell how much force to contract with when the heart beats. Investigators will also study the proteins and RNA of these pieces to determine how the newborn heart cells control their force of contraction differently from adult heart cells. Investigators hypothesize that infant hearts have different regulation of calcium entry than adult hearts. The study team also wants to study combinations of 3D cardiac spheres with multiple environmental cues that can improve functional and metabolic maturation of Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) and generate a more clinically relevant cell model.

Pediatric Adhesion and New Dermal Approach Study

The purpose of this study is to see if the Zio® monitor device can be worn by children for up to 14-days and to determine if the skin preparation process will provide good adherence to the skin and clear signal quality. The Zio® monitor (Study Device) is an adhesive patch that is worn on the upper left chest for a specified period of time and is similar to a band aid. The Study Device contains a battery-powered heart monitor and will look at the heart rhythm and rate.

Implementation of an Accessible Healthcare Model (ACHD STRONG): Comparing Nurse and Physician Lead Healthcare Transition Education in a RE-AIM Framework

The study includes patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), as well as their support persons and their providers, who are preparing to make the transition from pediatric to adult care for their CHD. The purpose of this study is to improve the tools available to help find doctors as patients enter adulthood. 200 people with CHD and support people will be enrolled.

A Study of Invasive Hemodynamic for MACHD Registry

This research study is being done to provide comparative data to the Mayo Clinic Adult Congenital Heart Disease Registry.

Swiss National Registry of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

Due to successes in the last decades in pediatric heart surgery and cardiology, 90-95% of the children with congenital heart disease reach adult age.This results in an increasing number of adults or "grown-ups" with congenital heart disease (ACHD or GUCH patients) that require special health care organization and training programmes. Long term complications of these GUCH patients and optimum treatment strategies are still poorly known. The aim of this registry is to collect quantitative and qualitative data regarding GUCH patients treated in specialised centres in Switzerland.

Wearable Assessment of Thoracic, Cardiac Health and Exercise Performance Trial

Wearable health technology, particularly smartwatches, has revolutionized personal health monitoring by enabling continuous, non-invasive tracking of various physiological parameters. The potential applications of these devices in cardiology are extensive, but it is crucial to validate their accuracy against established medical-grade devices. The Apple Watch Series 9 (Apple, USA) exemplifies the capabilities of modern smartwatches, offering a wide range of health tracking features. These include heart rate monitoring, detection of irregular heart rhythms suggestive of atrial fibrillation, electrocardiogram recording, blood oxygen level measurement, and comprehensive mobility metrics (including VO2 max, six-minute walk distance, walking speed, step length, double support time, and walking asymmetry). Many of these parameters are highly relevant for cardiovascular patients, potentially aiding in disease progression monitoring and adverse event prediction. However, there is a lack of comprehensive validation studies for these devices in specific cardiovascular disease populations. This investigator-initiated prospective observational study involving 50-100 participants that aims to validate smartwatchbased assessments using medical-grade devices and techniques. The study will focus on adult patients with congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and coronary artery disease, as well as athletes undergoing cardiovascular assessment. By comparing smartwatch data with established clinical measurements, the investigators seek to determine the reliability and potential clinical utility of these wearable devices in diverse cardiovascular contexts. This research will help bridge the gap between consumer-grade wearable technology and clinical practice in cardiology.

Starlight Cardiovascular Lifeline Ductus Arteriosus Stent IDE Study

Starlight Cardiovascular, Inc. is sponsoring a prospective, multi-center, study to evaluate safety and effectiveness of the Lifeline Ductus Arteriosus Stent System. The study device is a stent that is designed to maintain patency of the Ductus Arteriosus for children who need blood flow through that part of the heart.

Influence of Lung Volume Optimization Maneuver on Cardiac Output and Lung Compliance in Ventilated Children With Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Surgical Repair

The aim of this randomized interventional multi-center clinical trial is to determine whether a standardized lung volume optimization maneuver (LVOM), including PEEP titration, improves outcomes in children undergoing biventricular repair for congenital heart disease (CHD) with cardiopulmonary bypass. The primary hypothesis is that optimizing end-expiratory lung volume through a standardized PEEP titration maneuver improves cardiac performance and lung function. Secondary objectives are to evaluate whether this strategy reduces duration of mechanical ventilation, improves hemodynamics and ventilation-perfusion matching, and decreases the need for vasopressor support.

"Effects of High-Calorie Diets VS High-Calorie Formulas on Weight Gain in Children With Congenital Heart Disease "

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of high-calorie diets and specialized nutritional formulas on weight gain and clinical outcomes in underweight children aged 1 to 5 years with congenital heart disease (CHD). Children with CHD often experience growth failure due to increased energy needs and feeding difficulties, which can negatively impact their recovery, development, and overall health. Seventy-five children will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group receiving a standard diet, a group receiving a high-calorie diet made from energy-dense foods, and a third group receiving both the high-calorie diet and a specialized high-calorie pediatric formula. The study will measure changes in weight, appetite, feeding tolerance, and other growth indicators over an 8-week period. The goal is to determine whether enhanced nutritional support can improve weight gain and health outcomes in this high-risk population.

HFNC vs NIPPV Following Extubation

This study has the goal to determine the best method of respiratory support following extubation after cardiac surgery (CS). After cardiac surgery for Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), patients remain intubated until the cardiac team determines it is safe for the patient to undergo a trial of extubation. Two common methods of respiratory support following extubation are High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) and Non Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV). There is currently a gap in data comparing High Flow Nasal Cannula and Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in infants (age 0-1) in regard to extubation failure and overall outcomes. This study will monitor the health outcomes of 200 infants (0 - 1 year) with CHD following cardiac surgery in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). This will be done by assigning the respiratory support method each child will receive following extubation after cardiac surgery. Health outcomes will be monitored until discharge or until the second instance of extubation failure. Both study arms are standard-of-care respiratory support methods in the CHOA CICU. The investigators aim to determine which of these two methods has fewer risk factors when used with infants.

Acute Maternal Hyperoxygenation in CHD

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is predominantly detected before birth. Using echocardiography and MRI, this study will determine whether acute exposure to maternal hyperoxygenation (MH) leads to measurable increases in fetal cerebral oxygenation from baseline in fetuses with CHD. The study aims to determine whether MH could be used as a chronic in-utero treatment strategy to promote brain growth/maturation to birth and to improve postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes, and identify the types of CHD most likely to benefit from chronic MH.

Online Support 4 CHD Kids & Caregivers

This study will evaluate a virtual mental health parenting stepped-care intervention (I-InTERACT-North) to determine if the program works to improve positive parenting skills and child behaviour among families with children born with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). Recruitment will target children ages 3-9 years old from SickKids. We will also evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the program among children and families to inform future delivery and multi-site trials. Results will evaluate whether I-InTERACT-North can improve parenting and child behaviour in these families and inform future best clinical practices for this population.