ClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT01399385Updated Oct 7, 2026

New Heart Imaging Techniques to Evaluate Possible Heart Disease

An interventional study of MR Imaging Techniques - 1 and MR Imaging Techniques - 2 in Healthy, Obesity and Diabetes, sponsored by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 100 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-07.

Sponsored by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Jul 2011; still recruiting 15 years 4 months later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
4,000
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
18 Years to 100 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Background:

- Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can provide information about heart and blood vessels. The tests let doctors can see the amount of blood vessel narrowing and vessel wall thickness. This information may help diagnose and treat heart disease and other conditions that lead to heart attacks. Better MRI methods are needed to improve heart disease diagnosis, especially by avoiding the use of radiation. Researchers are testing new techniques to improve the quality of heart MRI, compared with more complex studies like catheterization or angiography.

Objectives:

- To compare heart MRI techniques with other tests used to diagnose heart disease.

Eligibility:

- People at least 18 years of age who either have or may have heart disease, or are healthy volunteers.

Design:

  • Participants will be screened with a physical exam, medical history, and blood tests.
  • They will have an angiography to study the inside of blood vessels. This test is an x-ray study of the blood vessels. It will be done either separately or as part of a set of tests to diagnose possible heart disease.
  • Participants will have at least one and up to five MRI scans. The scans will involve different methods of studying the heart and blood vessels. Participants may also have a computed tomography scan to confirm the findings of an MRI scan.
  • No treatment will be provided as part of this protocol.
Read the detailed description

Specialized imaging techniques now available allow a unique opportunity to characterize the micro-environment of the human body. Magnetic Resonance (MR) vascular wall imaging and angiography (MRA) are developing techniques that permit non-invasive evaluation of arterial and venous structures without the need for x-ray based catheter angiography. In addition, vessel wall imaging provides unprecedented non-invasive tools to assess vascular endothelial function. While dramatic progress has been made to cardiovascular MR imaging in the last few years, there are still substantial limitations in the resolution, accuracy, and reproducibility of MRA and wall imaging in the comprehensive structural and functional evaluation of coronary artery. The first aim of this study is to develop and optimize clinical imaging protocols and techniques for fast high-resolution coronary MRA and wall imaging for the assessment of coronary and other main arteries structural, distensibility, and endothelial functional parameters. Technique optimization and performance evaluation will be accomplished in normal subjects without known or suspected coronary atherosclerosis. The second aim of this protocol is to evaluate early MR imagery signs of arterial structural, distensibility, and endothelial functional disorders associated with atherosclerosis in a cohort of patients with known or suspected coronary atherosclerosis. Results from accelerated high-resolution MRA will be correlated with corresponding Computerized Tomography Coronary Angiogram (CTA) results. The third aim of this protocol is to develop, implement, and optimize new non-invasive methods for characterization of the micro-environment in the thoracic and abdominal area utilizing specialized techniques such as MR Spectroscopy, MR Elastography, and blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) imaging. The long-term objective of this study and research initiative is to optimize coronary MRA, wall, and body imaging techniques to the point that it can reliably be used for routine prevention and assessment of early atherosclerosis and other diseases.

02

Conditions studied

  • Healthy
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Atherosclerosis

Keywords

  • Distensibility Imaging
  • Arteriosclerosis, Narrowing of Vessels
  • Endothelial Dysfunction
  • Hardening of the arteries
  • Non-Invasive Plaque Imaging
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Heart Disease
  • Arteriosclerosis
  • Healthy Volunteer
  • HV
03

In context

Obesity

11,522 studies on the registry are indexed under Obesity; 2,033 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 4,000 is above the median of 67 across 9,006 interventional studies indexed under Obesity.

Browse Obesity studies →

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is the lead sponsor of 538 studies on the registry; 55 are open to participants now.

Of its 80 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 51 (64%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 100 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Eligibility criteria

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:

    1. Subjects with or without history of cardiovascular diseases and with various degrees of cardiovascular risk factor. Subjects with known or suspected atherosclerotic disease based on clinical findings or documented by angiography (conventional, CTA or MRA), or Doppler ultrasound. And, healthy volunteers and subjects with known or suspected diseases affecting the thoracic organs, abdominal organs, and other organs affected by metabolic diseases such as body fat and muscles. Subjects at risk for atherosclerosis including: smoking, obesity, hyperlipidemia, low levels of high density lipoproteins (\<50 mg/dl for women and \<40 mg/dl for men), hypertension, family history (early onset atherosclerosis \<55 year old in male and \< 65 year old in female who is first degree relative), and diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome.
    2. Subject must be willing to participate in the protocol.
    3. Subject age greater than 18 years old.
    4. Subject must be able to provide .
    5. Subject must be clinically stable and be able to come to the Clinical Center to participate in the study.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

  1. Subjects with to MRI scanning. These contraindications include but are not limited to the following devices or conditions:

    1. Implanted cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator
    2. Cochlear Implants
    3. Ocular foreign body (e.g. metal shavings)
    4. Embedded shrapnel fragments
    5. Central nervous system aneurysm clips
    6. Implanted neural stimulator
    7. Medical infusion pumps
    8. Any implanted device that is incompatible with MRI.
  2. Unsatisfactory performance status as judged by the referring physician such that the subject could not tolerate an MRI scan. Examples of medical conditions that would not be accepted would include unstable angina and dyspnea at rest.
  3. Subjects requiring sedation for MRI studies.
  4. Subjects with a condition precluding entry into the scanner (e.g. morbid obesity, claustrophobia, etc.).
  5. Pregnant or lactating women.
  6. Subjects with severe back-pain or motion disorders who will be unable to tolerate supine positioning within the MRI scanner and hold still for the duration of the examination.
  7. Subjects who are unable to undergo a CTA within 2 months of the MRA part of this study, or are unable to undergo or be scheduled for a cardiac catheterization within 2 months of the MRA.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA - FOR GADOLINIUM BASED MRI STUDIES ONLY:

  1. History of allergic reaction to gadolinium contrast agents despite the use of premeditation with an anti-histaminic and cortisone.
  2. \< 60 ml/min/1.73m\^2

EXCLUSION CRITERIA - FOR CORONARY CTA:

  1. Contraindication to the use of CTA contrast agents:

    1. Creatinine value > 1.4 mg/dl
    2. History of multiple myeloma
    3. Use of metformin-containing products less than 24 hrs prior to contrast administration
    4. History of allergic reaction to CTA contrast agents despite the use of pre- medication with an anti-histaminic and cortisone.
  2. Subjects with contraindication precluding the use of beta blockers necessary to perform the coronary CTA. These include:

    1. Asthma
    2. Active bronchospasm
    3. Moderate or severe
    4. 2nd or 3rd degree AV block
    5. Decompensated cardiac failure
    6. Allergy to beta blockers
    7. Systolic blood pressure \< 100 mm Hg
    8. Pregnancy or nursing

EXCLUSION CRITERIA - FOR NITROGLYCERIN USE:

Subjects reporting a history of the following conditions will be excluded:

  1. Severe aortic stenosis
  2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  3. Inferior myocardial infarction with right ventricular involvement
  4. Cardiac tamponade
  5. Constrictive pericarditis
  6. Severe hypotension (systolic BP \<90 mmHg)
  7. Uncorrected hypovolemia
  8. Raised intracranial pressure
  9. Glaucoma
  10. Severe anemia
  11. Concomitant use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (sildenafil-Viagra, tadalifil-Cialis, verdenafil-Levitra)
  12. History of to nitroglycerin
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(5)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

Contraindication

A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.

GFR and eGFR (kidney filtering)

GFR (glomerular filtration rate) is how much blood the kidneys filter each minute. It is usually estimated from a blood test — eGFR, by formulas such as CKD-EPI or MDRD — and some studies ask for it to be measured directly instead. Usually given in mL/min/1.73 m².

Check the method, the units and the minimum the study states. A value of 90 or above is in the normal-or-high range, but kidney damage can show in other tests too.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe out, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Hypersensitivity

An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Sequential assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
4,000 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Group 1

    Group 1 will consist of subjects with a 10-year total CHD risk \<10% (low)They will undergo a series of multiple small discovery studies in order to look at the multiple different MR methods of visualizing the coronary arteries

    Device: MR Imaging Techniques - 1

  • Experimental
    Group 2

    Group 2 will consist of subjects with a 10-year total CHD risk 10-20% (intermediate)They will undergo a series of multiple small discovery studies in order to look at the multiple different MR methods of visualizing the coronary arteries

    Device: MR Imaging Techniques - 2

  • Experimental
    Group 3

    Group 3 will consist of subjects with a 10-year total CHD risk \>20% (high)They will undergo a series of multiple small discovery studies in order to look at the multiple different MR methods of visualizing the coronary arteries

    Device: MR Imaging Techniques - 3

  • Experimental
    Group 4

    Group 4 no known risk factors (control subjects)They will undergo a series of multiple small discovery studies in order to look at the multiple different MR methods of visualizing the coronary arteries

    Device: MR Imaging Techniques - 4

Interventions

  • DeviceMR Imaging Techniques - 1

    Group 1 will consist of subjects with a 10-year total CHD risk \<10% (low)They will undergo a series of multiple small discovery studies in order to look at the multiple different MR methods of visualizing the coronary arteries

  • DeviceMR Imaging Techniques - 2

    Group 2 will consist of subjects with a 10-year total CHD risk 10-20% (intermediate)They will undergo a series of multiple small discovery studies in order to look at the multiple different MR methods of visualizing the coronary arteries

  • DeviceMR Imaging Techniques - 3

    Group 3 will consist of subjects with a 10-year total CHD risk \>20% (high)They will undergo a series of multiple small discovery studies in order to look at the multiple different MR methods of visualizing the coronary arteries

  • DeviceMR Imaging Techniques - 4

    Group 4 no known risk factors (control subjects)They will undergo a series of multiple small discovery studies in order to look at the multiple different MR methods of visualizing the coronary arteries

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. To develop and optimize clinical imaging protocols and techniques for fast high- resolution coronary MRA and wall imaging for the assessment of coronary and other main arteries structural distensibility, and endothelial functional parameters@...

    The accelerated High-resolution MRA results will be compared to conventional angiography and/or computerized tomography angiography (CTA). High- resolution lumen dimensions will be compared to black- blood lumen measurements as well. It is expected that the MRA findings from the 3T scanner will demonstrate image quality that is nearly equivalent to the quality of the coronary arteries visualized using CTA and/or conventional coronary catheterization. Three- dimensional arterial dilatation mapping, representing endothelial function status, will be rendered and visualized

    Time frame: within one month

  2. To evaluate early MR imagery signs of arterial structural, distensibility, and endothelial functional disorders associated with atherosclerosis in a cohort of patients with known or suspected coronary atherosclerosis

    It is expected that the evaluation of the relationship among these risk factor and imaging variables will find relationships that can be further explored. This study is expected to find information in the data analysis that can be used to generate hypotheses for future testing.

    Time frame: within one month

  3. To develop, implement, and optimize new non-invasive methods for characterization of the micro-environment in the thoracic and abdominal area utilizing specialized techniques

    to develop, implement, and optimize new non-invasive methods for characterization of the micro-environment in the thoracic and abdominal area utilizing specialized techniques such as MR Spectroscopy, MR Elastography, and blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) imagingThe MRS, MRE and BOLD and other sequences results will be compared to conventional biopsy. It is expected that these advanced sequences will enable non-invasive evaluation and better understanding of various disease processes.

    Time frame: within one month

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
    Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Zheng ZJ, Croft JB, Giles WH, Mensah GA. Sudden cardiac death in the United States, 1989 to 1998. Circulation. 2001 Oct 30;104(18):2158-63. doi: 10.1161/hc4301.098254. PubMed 11684624 ↗
  • Bradbury EM, Chapman GE, Danby SE, Hartman PG, Riches PL. Studies on the role and mode of operation of the very-lysine-rich histone H1 (F1) in eukaryote chromatin. The properties of the N-terminal and C-terminal halves of histone H1. Eur J Biochem. 1975 Sep 15;57(2):521-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1975.tb02327.x. PubMed 1175657 ↗
  • Lopez AD, Murray CC. The global burden of disease, 1990-2020. Nat Med. 1998 Nov;4(11):1241-3. doi: 10.1038/3218. No abstract available. PubMed 9809543 ↗
  • Abd-Elmoniem KZ, Edwan JH, Dietsche KB, Villalobos-Perez A, Shams N, Matta J, Baumgarten L, Qaddumi WN, Dixon SA, Chowdhury A, Stagliano M, Mabundo L, Wentzel A, Hadigan C, Gharib AM, Chung ST. Endothelial Dysfunction in Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: A Clinical Translational Study. Circ Res. 2024 Aug 30;135(6):639-650. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.124.324272. Epub 2024 Jul 29. PubMed 39069898 ↗
  • Abd-Elmoniem KZ, Ishaq H, Purdy J, Matta J, Hamimi A, Hannoush H, Hadigan C, Gharib AM. Association of Coronary Wall Thickening and Diminished Diastolic Function in Asymptomatic, Low Cardiovascular Disease-Risk Persons Living with HIV. Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging. 2024 Apr;6(2):e230102. doi: 10.1148/ryct.230102. PubMed 38573125 ↗
  • Nazari MA, Abd-Elmoniem KZ, Jha A, Matta J, Talvacchio S, Charles K, Feeley J, Patel M, Feelders R, Pacak K, Gharib AM. Reduced coronary artery luminal area in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma patients. J Endocrinol Invest. 2023 Jul;46(7):1483-1487. doi: 10.1007/s40618-022-01982-5. Epub 2022 Dec 20. No abstract available. PubMed 36538160 ↗
  • Ouwerkerk R, Hamimi A, Matta J, Abd-Elmoniem KZ, Eary JF, Abdul Sater Z, Chen KY, Cypess AM, Gharib AM. Proton MR Spectroscopy Measurements of White and Brown Adipose Tissue in Healthy Humans: Relaxation Parameters and Unsaturated Fatty Acids. Radiology. 2021 May;299(2):396-406. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2021202676. Epub 2021 Mar 16. PubMed 33724063 ↗
  • Muniyappa R, Noureldin RA, Abd-Elmoniem KZ, El Khouli RH, Matta JR, Hamimi A, Ranganath S, Hadigan C, Nieman LK, Gharib AM. Personalized Statin Therapy and Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Burden in Asymptomatic Low/Intermediate-Risk Individuals. Cardiorenal Med. 2018;8(2):140-150. doi: 10.1159/000487205. Epub 2018 Mar 26. PubMed 29617001 ↗
  • Neary NM, Booker OJ, Abel BS, Matta JR, Muldoon N, Sinaii N, Pettigrew RI, Nieman LK, Gharib AM. Hypercortisolism is associated with increased coronary arterial atherosclerosis: analysis of noninvasive coronary angiography using multidetector computerized tomography. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 May;98(5):2045-52. doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-3754. Epub 2013 Apr 4. PubMed 23559084 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Timeline

3 registry updates since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Started Jul 2011 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Nov 2028, 208 months after the start.

Of 3,680 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Obesity, half reached primary completion within 23 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 43. This study's planned 208 months is above that.

Counting every sponsor, half of 3,843 studies reached it within 22 months; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 42.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jul 20, 2011
First posted
Jul 21, 2011
StartActual
Jul 6, 2011
Primary completionEst.
Nov 6, 2028
CompletionEst.
Nov 5, 2030
Last update
Oct 7, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
Minor edits
Nothing that changes what the study is or who can join. Edited: description and verification date
3 updates, last Oct 7, 2026
Show all 3 updates
  1. Oct 7, 2026
    Minor edits only
    + 1 other change: verification date
  2. Oct 2, 2026
    Minor edits only
    + 1 other change: description
  3. Sep 28, 2026
    Minor edits only
    + 1 other change: description

From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT01399385
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jul 21, 2011
Start date
Jul 6, 2011
Primary completion
Nov 6, 2028 (estimated)
Completion
Nov 5, 2030 (estimated)
Last update
Oct 7, 2026

Study contacts

Jatin R Matta, P.A.-C
Contact
mattaj@mail.nih.gov
(301) 443-8373
Ahmed M Gharib, M.D.
Contact
agharib@mail.nih.gov
(301) 402-5744
Ahmed M Gharib, M.D.
principal investigator · National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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