Plain-English translation of NCT02820233 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Researchers are studying special cells in the human heart that respond to natural proteins called Neuregulin and EGF. These proteins are important for keeping hearts healthy, and understanding how they work might lead to new treatments for heart disease and heart failure. If you're having heart surgery, doctors can take a small tissue sample from your heart so scientists can study these cells in the laboratory.
Scientists are learning that certain cell types in the heart, besides the main heart muscle cells, play an important role in keeping hearts healthy. Understanding how these cells respond to natural healing signals could eventually help doctors develop new ways to repair or regenerate damaged hearts.
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If you qualify and agree to participate, doctors will collect a small tissue sample from your heart during your scheduled bypass surgery — this happens while you're already having the operation. The sample goes to a laboratory where scientists separate the cells, study how they respond to different proteins, and grow them in special cultures. Your participation involves no additional procedures beyond this single biopsy taken during your planned surgery.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 7, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Enrollment target
~80 participants
Started
June 2015
Primary completion
September 2028
Age range
18 Years and older
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in April 2025.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Joanne Burgess, RN
Douglas B. Sawyer
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.