Cardiovascular Medicine

Below are current clinical trials.

Filter this list of studies by location, status and more.

1. A Study of Inorganic Nitrite to Amplify the Benefits and Tolerability of Exercise Training in Heart Failure that has Preserved Ejection Fraction

   Rochester, Minn., Cannon Falls, Minn.

   Participants with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction will undergo 12 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation for exercise training (ET) and be randomized to either nebulized sodium nitrite inhalation solution or placebo inhalation solution (normal saline) through the training period. Study drug is administered 3 times daily during daytime hours with one of these doses being immediately prior to onset of ET sessions throughout the 12 week trial. The objective is to determine if the inhaled sodium nitrite improves the clinical responses and tolerability of ET.

2. Study to Provide Normal Reference Values for Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Elastography

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to provide normal reference values for cardiac magnetic resonance elastography.

3. Study to Assess the Decline in Cognitive Function Using Standardized Neurocognitive Assessment in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Treated with Apixaban Versus Warfarin

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to assess the decline in cognitive function using standardized neurocognitive assessment in Atrial Fibrilation patients treated with Apixaban vs Warfarin.

4. International Bicuspid Aortic Valve Consortium (BAVCon)

   Rochester, Minn.

   Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease is the most frequent congenital cardiac malformation, occurring in 0.5-1.2% of the US population. In young adults, it is generally a benign abnormality; but in older adults it is associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection in 20-30% of those with BAV. BAV is strongly associated with early development of aortic valve calcification or incompetence in >50% of BAV patients, and accounts for ~40% of the >30,000 aortic valve replacements (AVR) performed in the US each year. Yet, we know little of the etiology, cellular events and modifiers of progression of BAV to calcific aortic valve disease and we still do not understand the genetic cause(s) of BAV despite evidence for its high heritability.

   The Specific Aims of this study are:

   1. To identify the genetic causes of bicuspid aortic valve disease and its associated thoracic aortic disease.

   2. To identify potential pathways to predict the clinical course of BAV disease and for treating human BAV disease.

   To achieve these aims, we have created the International Bicuspid Aortic Valve Consortium (BAVCon), a consortium of institutions with cohorts of BAV patients and the expertise to fulfill the performance of these aims.

5. Stress Echocardiography in Mixed and Multi Valvular Heart Disease

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to: investigate the diagnostic utility of stress echocardiography (SE) in the evaluation of patients with mixed and mult-valvular heart disease (mx/ml-VHD), evaluate the hemodynamic impact of exercise on mx/ml-VHD compared to those with isolated valve disease, study the prevalence and natural history of mx/ml-VHD, and identify clinical, echocardiographic and biochemical markers that can be used to identify patients with mx/ml-VHD who are at higher risk for future cardiovascular events.

6. Respiratory Muscle Contribution to Blood Pressure During Exercise

   Rochester, Minn.

   The investigators seek to understand how reflexes from the breathing muscles influence blood pressure during exercise. Furthermore, the investigators are determining if increasing breathing muscle strength (via inspiratory muscle training) influences the respiratory muscle contribution to blood pressure during exercise.

7. Mayo Clinic Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device MRI Registry

   Rochester, Minn.

   Registry intends to prospectively collect data regarding the safety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in patients with cardiac pacemakers on implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

8. A Study Testing the Philips Scanner Technology for Reliable Respiratory Assessment

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to test the Philips Camera bar code scanner with actual patients, to assess its effectiveness in measuring breaths inspite of common obstructions.

9. A Study of Mechanisms of Altered Ventilatory Control in Heart Failure

   Rochester, Minn.

   This study is being done because the investigators are trying to understand how feedback from the muscles can influence your blood pressure and breathing during exercise, and if the investigators can reduce this response in heart failure patients. The investigators are also trying to determine ways to improve tolerance to exercise in heart failure patients.

10. Assessment of the QT Interval Using a Smartphone ECG Device during Antiarrhythmic Drug Initiation

    Rochester, Minn.

    1. Obtain AliveCor ECG Recordings from subjects at the time of clinically indicated ECGs over the course their anti-arrhythmic drug loading hospital admission. 
    2. Create and refine an AliveCor algorithm to accurately measure a patient’s QT interval and heart rate corrected QTc value and validate/compare the results against the 12- lead ECGs on record.
    3. Obtain AliveCor ECG recordings at the time of daily clinically indicated electrolyte panels to further develop and refine a Potassium screening algorithm.