Recruiting

Testing new MRI imaging methods to detect early heart disease

Plain-English translation of NCT01399385 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated June 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

Researchers are developing and testing advanced MRI imaging techniques that can look inside your arteries without needles or radiation. The goal is to improve how doctors detect early signs of heart disease by taking detailed pictures of your blood vessels and heart tissue. This is a technical development study, meaning the researchers are working to make these imaging methods better, more accurate, and easier to use.

Current heart imaging methods have limitations in how clearly they can see the inside of arteries and detect early damage. This study exists to develop better, safer imaging tools that don't require invasive procedures — so doctors can catch heart disease earlier when it's easier to treat.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years old or older
you are willing and able to come to the Clinical Center for imaging appointments
you can provide informed consent and follow study instructions
you have varying levels of heart disease risk (from no risk factors to high risk), or you are a healthy volunteer
you are clinically stable and able to lie still inside an MRI scanner for the duration of the scan

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a pacemaker, defibrillator, or other metallic implants that cannot be in an MRI scanner
you have severe claustrophobia or physical conditions that prevent you from lying still in an enclosed scanner
you are pregnant or breastfeeding
you have kidney problems (for gadolinium contrast studies) or very high creatinine levels (for CT scans)
you have had a severe allergic reaction to MRI or CT contrast dyes, even with pre-medication

What participation looks like

You will be placed into one of four groups based on your heart disease risk level. You'll visit the Clinical Center to undergo a series of MRI scans using new imaging techniques to visualize your coronary arteries and blood vessels. Some participants may also have a CT scan of the heart for comparison. The study involves multiple smaller imaging studies to test different MRI methods. You will need to remain still inside the MRI scanner, and the entire process may take several hours across one or more visits.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 1, 2026 · Not medical advice

Testing new MRI imaging methods to detect early heart disease

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)