Protocol Number: 02-CC-0266
Patients 18 years and above who are on a wait list for heart transplant at a UNOS-approved heart transplant center, whose institutional review board has approved this protocol, may be eligible for this study. Healthy volunteers will also be included in the study to establish a database of normal values for comparison with patients undergoing heart transplant. In addition, patients who have had a heart transplant within the past 1 to 5 years will be enrolled in a pilot study. Normal volunteers will be screened for participation with an electrocardiogram (EKG) and echocardiogram, non-invasive tests to evaluate heart function. Participants will undergo the following procedures: - Review of medical records - Patients who have had a heart transplant and those on a wait list to receive a heart will have their medical records reviewed to collect information on their condition. - Blood samples - 60 cc (about 3 tablespoons) of blood will be collected from all participants by needle stick in a vein. The sample will be analyzed for genes and proteins that might predict heart rejection. In addition, many genes in blood cells and cells lining blood vessels that are unrelated to heart transplant rejection and whose functions or significance are unknown will also be examined for ideas for future research. Patients enrolled while on a wait list will, after transplantation, have an additional 44 cc (about 2 tablespoons) of blood collected at each heart biopsy and rejection episode during the first year of transplant, and 60 cc collected with each yearly biopsy for the next 9 years. - Urine samples - Between 100 and 300 cc (3 to 10 ounces) of urine may be collected from all participants to confirm blood test results
Search The Studies | Help | Questions |
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 09/15/2008
|
||