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MYPERS: Heart Blood Flow and Sickle Cell Anemia

About this study

People with sickle cell disease can have heart problems because their red blood cells are shaped differently. These cells can block blood flow and cause damage to the heart over time. Some heart problems do not have clear symptoms. So, it is important to find these problems early and learn more about how and when they start.

This study looks at how well the blood flows through the heart when the heart is stressed in young adults with sickle cell anemia, a type of sickle cell disease. The main goal is to see if problems with how the heart relaxes and fills with blood are linked to poor blood flow to the heart muscle during times of stress. This may help doctors better understand early signs of heart disease in people with sickle cell disease.

The study includes 3 groups of young adults: 

  • 1 group has sickle cell anemia and signs that the heart muscle is unable to relax. 
  • Another group has sickle cell anemia but no signs that the heart muscle is unable to relax. 
  • The third group is made up of healthy young people without sickle cell anemia. 

Everyone in the study will have 2 visits. The first visit includes blood tests, heart ultrasound, and electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). The second visit includes a PET (positron emission tomography) scan that shows how blood flows to the heart during rest and stress.

The most important part of the scan looks at something called coronary flow reserve. It tells doctors how well blood can reach the heart when it is needed most, like during exercise. The researchers want to see if people with sickle cell anemia and heart relaxation problems have lower coronary flow reserve than other people.

Doctors hope to find better ways to check heart health in people with sickle cell anemia. This could help find problems earlier and improve care for young adults living with this disease.

Eligibility overview

  • 18–21 years old
  • Black
  • Sickle cell disease with HbSS or HbSβ0thalassemia OR healthy without sickle cell anemia (can have the sickle cell trait) 

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The above information is intended to provide only a basic description about a research protocol that may be currently active at St. Jude. The details made available here may not be the most up-to-date information on protocols used by St. Jude. To receive full details about a protocol and its status and or use at St. Jude, a physician must contact St. Jude directly.

Overview

Full title:

MYPERS: An Evaluation of the Relationship Between Abnormal Myocardial Perfusion and Diastolic Dysfunction in Sickle Cell Disease Using PET (Stress-Rest) Myocardial Perfusion Imaging 

Study goal:

To measure coronary flow reserve using PET imaging in people with sickle cell anemia and in healthy people.

Diagnosis:

Sickle cell anemia

Age:

18–21 years

Clinical trials categories:

Sickle Cell Anemia Blood Disorders Sickle Cell Disease

For physicians and researchers

Patients accepted to St. Jude must be referred by a physician or other qualified medical professional. Learn how St. Jude can partner with you to care for your patient.

 

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