Studying Heart Tissue and Blood Changes in Patients With Advanced Heart Failure Receiving LVAD or Heart Transplant

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating changes in heart tissue and blood in patients with advanced heart disease, focusing on those with end-stage heart failure undergoing left ventricular assist device LVAD implantation or heart transplantation. The study aims to collect tissue and serum samples to better understand the basic science of heart disease. Samples from healthy donor hearts not used for transplantation will serve as comparison controls. This observational registry project does not involve any investigational drugs or procedures and focuses on gathering functional, structural, and molecular data related to heart failure. Participants in the advanced heart failure group will have tissue samples collected during their LVAD implantation surgery from the portion of the left ventricular apex removed as part of the procedure. Blood samples will be drawn at specific times during the study, either during scheduled procedures or alongside other lab work. Control samples will be obtained from patients undergoing other cardiac surgeries where tissue is routinely discarded. No additional tissue beyond standard surgical removal will be collected. During the study, participants will provide consent and have blood samples taken at defined time points. Researchers will monitor changes in myocardial function from baseline to three months after procedures. The project stores and organizes collected data and tissue samples for future research but does not affect current treatment plans. The study involves ongoing monitoring and data collection, with overall participation duration varying based on individual procedures and follow-up schedules.

Assessing Changes in Myocardial Tissue and Blood in Patients With Advanced Heart Disease