General Internal Medicine

Below are current clinical trials.

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

1. Transforming Non-Invasive Liver Disease Detection by MRE: The Hepatogram

   Rochester, Minn.

   A variety of liver insults lead to pathological changes in liver architecture that culminate in cirrhosis. While invasive liver biopsy was required to detect cirrhosis, the development of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) has revolutionized our ability to detect liver fibrosis through non-invasive means that involve measurement of liver stiffness. However, a number of pathological findings occur in liver in response to various insults that precede cirrhosis and are clinically important to identify such as steatosis associated with NASH, inflammation associated with viral hepatitis, and congestion associated with cardiac hepatopathy. Detection of such entities provides essential diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment information but yet is not available non-invasively. Recent murine studies from this group of investigators has identified that MRE technology can be adapted to non-invasively detect these conditions. Implementing this into the practice will transform it by obviating the need for invasive liver biopsies in patients suspected of having such forms of suspected liver disease. This will differentiate Mayo from other institutions where such technology is not available.

   An additional aim of this study is to examine the impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), both common comorbidities of obesity. Recent evidence indicates a potential link between OSA and severity of NASH and fibrosis, but the mechanisms of OSA- associated hypoxia on liver disease progression in NAFLD is unclear. This study offers the unique opportunity to analyze this association, as the study population will undergo routine evaluation for OSA, as part as the preoperative work-up prior to bariatric surgery.

2. A Study to Assess Bone Quality Characteristics, Comparing Type 2 Diabetes Patients who have or have not had Prior Fragile Bone Fractures

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to assess key characteristics of bone quality, specifically material strength and porosity, in patients who have type 2 diabetes. These patients are at an unexplained increased risk for fractures and there is an urgent need to refine clinical assessment for this risk.

3. Trial of Specific Carbohydrate and Mediterranean Diets to Induce Remission of Crohn's Disease

   Rochester, Minn.

   This protocol is designed to compare the effectiveness of two dietary interventions for patients with Crohn's disease (CD): the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and a Mediterranean style diet (MSD) that has been demonstrated to have numerous other health benefits. The two diets will be compared in terms of their ability to resolve both the symptoms and bowel inflammation that characterize this debilitating disease.

4. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement to UNload the Left Ventricle in Patients With ADvanced Heart Failure (TAVR UNLOAD)

   Rochester, Minn.

   The objective of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) via a transfemoral approach in HF patients with moderate AS as compared with OHFT.

5. Genetic Markers of Cardiovascular Disease in Epilepsy

   Rochester, Minn.

   Epilepsy is a common condition which affects over 3 million people in the US. Patients with uncontrolled epilepsy have a lifetime risk of sudden unexpected death (SUDEP) of 35%, which is greatest in those under 40 years of age. The exact mechanisms and causes are not understood but can be due to underlying conditions which affect the heart and brain, which may lead to dangerous heart rhythms and death. Some of these conditions which affect heart and brain have an identifiable genetic cause. This study aims to identify known genetic causes of heart rhythm and sudden death related disorders in patients with epilepsy.

6. Neural Circulatory Control and SUDEP Risk.

   Rochester, Minn.

   The investigators believe epilepsy alters the way the body controls blood pressure, heart rate and breathing, and these changes increase the risk of sudden unexpected death in patients with epilepsy (SUDEP). SUDEP-7 is a risk scoring tool which may correlate with these changes to the heart and blood vessels. This research study measures those differences which may help identify new markers to help predict those patients at greatest risk in the future.

7. A Study to Collect Data and Blood Samples from Mayo Patients Who have or are Suspected to have Amyloidosis, or Their Family Members, for Future Research

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to create a data collection and bioregistry of blood samples from Mayo Clinic patients with amyloidosis, suspected amyloidosis, and family members of patients with amyloidosis. This information will be available for future research about this spectrum of diseases.

8. A Study to Enroll Patients of Rheumatic Diseases and First-degree Relatives in a Biobank

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to enroll rheumatic disease patients and first-degree relatives in a biobank, and to follow them over time to assess health outcomes and collect additional specimens.

9. A Study of Quality of Life and Pain Control Before and After Endovascular Renal Denervation in Individuals with Refractory Kidney Pain

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to examine patient reported outcomes including pain, quality of life, depression and impact on kidney blood flow before and after procedure to destroy the pain sensory nerves of the kidneys in patients with untreatable one or two sided kidney pain.

10. A Study to Determine the Effects of Activity by Ambulation in Hospital Premises versus Strict Protective Isolation on Quality of Life in Severely Neutropenic Cancer Patients during Hospitalization

    Jacksonville, Fla.

    The purpose of this study is to determine if allowing patients to ambulate in the hallways outside of their hospital room by relaxing the policy of strict protective isolation in neutropenic patients improves the quality of life, and if this increases the risk of infection among these patients during hospitalization.