Cardiomyopathies and Heart Muscle Diseases: Cardiac Imaging in the Evaluation of Myocardial Fibrosis Transition
This research is investigating heart scarring, or fibrosis, which plays a key role in many heart muscle conditions. These conditions can cause serious problems like heart failure symptoms or dangerous heart rhythm issues. We don't fully understand these conditions, and treatment options can be limited. This study uses a new radioactive dye, called 68Ga-FAPI, with a special PET-MR scan. This dye has been used to detect scarring in cancers and shows promise for heart scarring too. We hope to identify how heart scarring develops and changes, which could help us predict patients' risks and develop new, targeted treatments. Participants will have scans with this new dye, and then follow-up scans a year or so later to see any changes.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is really important because it's looking into why some people develop problems with their heart muscle. Sometimes, the heart muscle can develop scarring, which doctors call fibrosis. This scarring can make it harder for your heart to pump properly, leading to symptoms like breathlessness or tiredness, and in some cases, it can even cause dangerous heart rhythm problems.
We know that this scarring is involved in a number of serious heart conditions, but we don't fully understand precisely how it develops or changes over time. Understanding this better could help us find new ways to treat these conditions. The research team is using a new scanning technique that involves a special, mildly radioactive dye. This dye helps to highlight the scarring in the heart muscle on the scans. By seeing where and how active this scarring is, doctors hope to gain valuable insights.
This new dye has already been used to help doctors see scarring in other parts of the body, like in cancer, and it looks like it could be very useful for the heart too. The aim is to not only learn more about how these heart conditions progress but also to potentially identify patients at higher risk and, in the long run, develop new treatments that specifically target and reduce this harmful scarring.
Key takeaways
- The study investigates heart scarring (fibrosis) in various heart conditions.
- It uses a new, mildly radioactive dye for special PET-MR scans to visualize scarring.
- Aims to improve understanding, risk assessment, and potential new treatments.
- Participation involves an initial set of scans and a follow-up scan 12-18 months later.
- Results could help many future patients with heart muscle diseases.
Who may be eligible?
This study is open to men and women aged between 30 and 90 years old. To take part, you would need to be diagnosed with one of a few specific heart conditions that the researchers are studying. These include certain types of heart failure where your heart still pumps well but has other issues, a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy where the heart muscle is thickened, or hypertensive heart disease linked to high blood pressure.
They are also looking for people with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, which affects the right side of the heart, or myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle that started recently. Regardless of the specific condition, you'll need to be willing to give your informed consent, meaning you understand the study and agree to participate before any procedures begin.
- Are you between 30 and 90 years old?
- Do you have a diagnosis of one of the listed heart conditions (e.g., certain types of heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, myocarditis)?
- Are you comfortable having special heart scans, including one with a new dye?
- Are you willing to attend appointments over a period of about 1 to 1.5 years?
This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part in this study, you would undergo a few assessments. Initially, you will have a special scan called a PET-MR scan, which uses a new, mildly radioactive dye (68Ga-FAPI or 18F-AIF-FAPI) to look at your heart. You will also have a standard echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of your heart, and a regular cardiac MRI scan. Approximately 12 to 18 months after these initial scans, you would return for a follow-up cardiac MRI scan without the new dye. The study does not involve taking any new medication. The total commitment would be two visits over a period of 12 to 18 months.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- University of EdinburghEdinburgh, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What is heart scarring (fibrosis)?
Heart scarring, or fibrosis, is when the heart muscle develops stiff, non-working tissue. This can make it harder for your heart to pump blood effectively, leading to various heart problems.
What is 68Ga-FAPI or 18F-AlF-FAPI?
These are special, mildly radioactive dyes used in scans to highlight areas of scarring or inflammation in the body. They are being tested to see how well they can show scarring in the heart.
Will taking part benefit me directly?
While you might not see an immediate direct benefit, the information from this study could be vital in helping doctors better understand and treat heart conditions for many people in the future.
Are there any side effects from the dye?
Any side effects from the dye are usually mild and temporary. Your study team will discuss all potential risks with you in detail before you decide to take part.
How long will I need to be involved in the study?
Your involvement will include an initial visit for scans, and then a follow-up scan about 12 to 18 months later, making the total duration of your participation up to 1.5 years.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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