Exercise Physiology in Patients With Aortic Aneurysm and Its Correlation With Mechanical Properties of Aortic Tissue

Launched by THE CLEVELAND CLINIC · Jan 17, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how exercise affects patients with aortic aneurysms, which is a condition where the aorta (the largest artery in the body) becomes enlarged and can be at risk of bursting. The researchers aim to understand what level of exercise is safe for these patients and how their aorta responds during physical activity. They will use a special imaging technique called cardiac MRI while patients exercise to measure how well the aorta functions and how elastic it is, which means how well it can stretch and handle pressure.

To participate in the study, individuals need to be at least 18 years old, either healthy or currently being monitored for an aortic aneurysm without having had surgery for it. Those with certain health conditions or devices, like pacemakers or metal implants, will not be eligible. If you join the trial, you can expect to undergo some tests during exercise, and your data will help improve understanding of safe exercise levels for people living with aortic aneurysms. This research could ultimately lead to better care and recommendations for patients in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Healthy controls for baseline comparison
• • 1. Must be 18 years or older
• • 2. No history of cardiovascular disease, neither hypertension, diabetes nor hypercholesterolemia
• • 2. Aneurysm patients who have not yet been operated on but are currently being monitored
• • 1. Must be 18 years or older
• • 2. No history of operation for aortic aneurysm
• • 3. Pre-operative aneurysm patients: imaged pre-operatively and 12 months
• • 1. Patients admitted at the CCF cardiothoracic services for elective surgery due to aortic aneurysms
• • 2. Must be 18 years or older
• Exclusion Criteria:
• For all patients:
• • Contra-indication for MRI
• • Heart pacemaker/defibrillator.
• • Electronic/implanted stimulators or devices, including deep brain stimulator, vagus nerve stimulator, bladder stimulator, spine stimulator, neurostimulators; implanted electrodes or wires.
• • Cochlear implant or other ear implants.
• • Implanted drug pumps (insulin, narcotic/pain medications, drugs to treat spasticity).
• • Programmable shunt.
• • Aneurysm clips and coils.
• • Stents (not located in heart).
• • Filters (for example, blood clot filters).
• • Metal fragment in your body or eye (eg, BBs, bullets, shrapnel, metal pieces or shavings).
• • Congenital heart diseases such as patent ductus arteriosus, coarctation of aorta, ASD and VSD
• • Presence of A-V fistula or intracardiac shunts
• • Moderate or severe dysfunction in multiple valves
• • Patients with significant claustrophobia
• • Patients unable to pedal a supine bicycle
• • Those who require supplemental oxygen
• Specific Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Healthy controls for baseline comparison
• • 1. Excluded if using cardioprotective medication
• • 2. Have a bicuspid aortic valve diagnosed using MRI
• • 2. Pre-operative aneurysm patients: imaged pre-operatively and at 12 months a. Patients with traumatic aortic rupture