According to a posting from clinicaltrials.gov, an observational study will be focused on the identification of biomarkers for pediatric congenital heart disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Biomarkers derived from the blood play a critical role in cardiology, but most biomarker research has focused on heart disease in adults, which typically involves the left ventricle. However, less common conditions that affect the heart, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and pediatric congenital heart disease, often affect the right ventricle, and no biomarkers have been established. The goal of this study is to identify relevant biomarkers for these diseases.
About Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease, or congenital heart defect, are defects or abnormalities affecting the heart that are present at birth. These conditions are often not associated with other diseases and their origins remain poorly understood; risk factors may include certain infections, use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, or poor health of the mother during pregnancy. Symptoms include fatigue, poor weight gain, bluish skin, and rapid breathing. Congenital heart disease is usually treated with surgery and certain medications. To learn more about these diseases, click here.
About Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs is abnormally high. The cause of the condition is often unknown in many cases. However, there are a variety of potential causes, such as certain heritable genetic mutations, exposure to certain toxins, and drug use (ex. methamphetamine). Symptoms of this condition include rapid heartbeat, poor exercise tolerance, shortness of breath, fainting, leg swelling, fatigue, and chest pain. Treatment may include a number of medications and surgical operations, including lung transplant. Click here to learn more about pulmonary arterial hypertension.
About Biomarkers
Biomarkers are important indicators in a disease state that can help physicians learn more about a patient’s condition. Biomarkers can be derived from a number of sources and can help a doctor understand what drugs might have the best effect or if a treatment is working; they can also be used to predict how the disease could progress. They are commonly used in clinical trials to measure the impact of an experimental drug.
The study aims to include 380 total participants with congenital heart disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension.
