Understanding Causes of Heart Transplant Problems Using MRI and Cell Analysis to Improve Patient Outcomes

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying adult heart transplant patients to find early signs of heart transplant problems using cardiac MRI and single cell RNA sequencing. This study focuses on understanding the molecular and larger-scale causes of allograft dysfunction, which can affect the transplanted hearts performance. The study excludes patients with severe kidney problems or those who cannot safely undergo MRI or receive certain contrast agents. Participants will undergo stress cardiac MRI with a drug called regadenoson, along with special imaging sequences before and after gadolinium contrast. This includes capturing cine images, T1 and T2 mapping, and late gadolinium enhancement. Blood samples and heart tissue biopsies will be collected as part of routine care and for detailed molecular analysis. The study groups include patients with different types of heart transplant function, all receiving similar imaging and testing procedures. Participants will be followed for at least one year after enrollment to monitor heart function and major adverse cardiac events. The study will measure heart blood flow reserve, heart function, tissue characteristics, and heart muscle strain over five years. Imaging results will be reviewed by independent readers, and clinical data will be collected regularly to assess heart transplant health and longevity.

Allograft Dysfunction in Heart Transplant