Cardiovascular Surgery

Below are current clinical trials.

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

1. A Study to Evaluate Wellness Coaching for Caregivers of Thoracic Transplant Candidates

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a health coaching intervention on the stress and burden of caregivers of patients awaiting heart or lung transplant.

   Hypotheses:  Caregivers will have traits and behaviors pre-transplant that will predict caregiver readiness, quality of life, and transplant recipient outcomes. Specifically, thoracic pre-transplant caregivers report stress, symptoms of anxiety or depression, and perceive high caregiver burden. These factors may be amenable to pre-transplant intervention to improve overall patient and caregiver outcomes.

   Aims, purpose, or objectives:  We will conduct a pilot trial to test whether caregivers of heart and lung transplant candidates who receive wellness coaching will experience improvement in caregiver-related distress. We will also explore the relationship between caregiving and factors such as uncertainty, resilience, stress level, and affect.

2. A Study to Evaluate Aortic Dilatation in Patients with Conotruncal Abnormalities

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to assess operative and postoperative outcomes after aortic valve surgery, evaluate for changes in ascending aorta diameter by comparing pre-operative CT imaging to measurements on follow-up imaging, and examine late outcomes and functional status during the follow-up period with specific focus on mortality, need for re-operation and incidence of aortic dissection.

3. A Study of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy Undergoing Septal Myectomy

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine how many patients suffer from sexual function problems and ascertain if they are improved or modified by cardiac surgical intervention.

4. Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion for Prophylactic Stroke Reduction Trial

   Rochester, Minn.

   The objective of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of left atrial appendage exclusion (LAAE) for the prevention of ischemic stroke or systemic arterial embolism in subjects undergoing cardiac surgery who have risk factors for atrial fibrillation and ischemic stroke.

5. A Study to Evaluate Perceptions of Midline Sternotomy Scar in Children and Young Adults

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate how children and young adults perceive their midline sternotomy scars (in terms of appearance, associated symptoms, consciousness, satisfaction with appearance/symptoms, and impact on quality of life)? 

6. A Study to Evaluate Noninvasive Ultrasound Elastography of Kidney and Lung in Assessment of Volume Status in ICU Patients

   Rochester, Minn.

   The primary purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of performing lung and kidney and lung ultrasound elastography among patients with critical illness from different etiologies that could be associated with volume overload.

7. A Study to Evaluate ICU Simulation Experience in the Cardiothoracic Surgical Population to Reduce Post-operative Delirium

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a pre-ICU admission simulation session on post-operative delirium in the elective cardiothoracic surgical population while in the intensive care unit.