Diffusion MRI in Heart Failure (NCT02973633)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
The development of symptomatic heart failure is frequently preceded by a pre-clinical period of structural remodeling in the heart. The remodeling process driving this transition, however, remains poorly understood. The investigators hypothesize that imaging the diffusion of water in the heart with MRI will allow its microstructure to be resolved. The investigators further hypothesize that the characterization of microstructural changes in the heart will help elucidate the pathogenesis of heart failure and the transition from a compensated to a decompensated state. Patients with recent myocardial infarcts and left ventricular hypertrophy, who are at risk for the development of heart failure, will be enrolled. The participants will undergo serial diffusion tensor MRI (DTI) imaging of the heart to characterize changes in myocardial microstructure over time.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (3 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (21 items).
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital — Charlestown, Massachusetts
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of metallic foreign bodies/objects
- Selected medical devices and implants
- Pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, life vests
- Coronary artery stent within last 6 weeks (unless the stent is a MRI-inert chromium-cobalt stent)
- Known untreated ventricular arrhythmia such as sustained ventricular tachycardia within last 12 months
- Atrial fibrillation that is not well rate controlled (heart rate \>125)
- Unstable angina within last 2 months that has not been fully evaluated by a cardiologist
- Syncope within last 6 weeks
- Hemodynamic instability (Systolic BP less than 100 or greater than 180)
- Decompensated heart failure (inability to lie flat and perform a breath-hold).
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \< 60 for those receiving gadolinium.
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Charlestown, Massachusetts
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.