NCT04667494 · Brigham and Women's Hospital
Ultrasound Therapy In Cardiac Amyloidosis
(UTICA)
What this study is about
This is a forward-looking pilot clinical study of subjects with cardiac amyloidosis and control subjects without amyloidosis where we plan to evaluate changes in myocardial blood flow, systolic and diastolic function before and after sonotherapy.
View original scientific description
This is a prospective pilot clinical study of subjects with cardiac amyloidosis and control subjects without amyloidosis where we plan to evaluate changes in myocardial blood flow, systolic and diastolic function before and after sonotherapy.
Interventions
COMBINATION_PRODUCT
Sonotherapy
Use of high mechanical index ultrasound therapy with intravenous Definity contrast infusion
Primary outcome measures
Myocardial Blood Flow
Time frame: 1 day
N-13 ammonia or Rubidium-82 PET based measure of myocardial blood flow in ml/gm/min
Systolic Function
Time frame: 1 day
Global Longitudinal Strain by echocardiography
Diastolic Function
Time frame: 1 day
Echo measured mitral e' velocity
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Age \> 18 years for AL-CA, \> 65 years for ATTR-CA, \> 65 years for controls
- Willing and able to provide consent
- Diagnosis of systemic light chain amyloidosis by standard criteria (see below) and in hematological remission (normal serum free light chain levels)
- (immunofixation of serum and urine, IgG free light chain (FLC) assay, a biopsy of fat pad/ bone marrow, or organ biopsy, followed by typing of the light chain using immunohistochemistry or immunogold assay with confirmation by Mass spectroscopy as needed) AND
- proof of cardiac involvement by AL amyloidosis
- abnormal cardiac biomarkers (Abnormal high sensitivity TnT 5th generation levels (\>9 ng/L: female, \>14 ng/L: male) or abnormal age appropriate N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, NT-proBNP (abnormal values: \<50 years: \>450 pg/ml; 50-75 years:\>900 pg/ml; \>75 years: \>1800 pg/ml) or
- abnormal echocardiogram (wall thickness \> 12 mm) or
- abnormal cardiac MRI (wall thickness \> 12 mm or extracellular volume \> 0.35) OR
- Diagnosis of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis by standard criteria
- endomyocardial biopsy followed by typing of the transthyretin amyloidosis using immunohistochemistry or immunogold assay with confirmation by Mass spectroscopy as needed
- extracardiac biopsy with typical cardiac imaging findings, or
- grade 2 or grade 3 myocardial uptake of technetium-99m pyrophosphate (PYP) if AL amyloidosis is excluded
Exclusion criteria
- Hemodynamic instability
- Severe claustrophobia despite use of sedatives
- Decompensated heart failure (unable to lie flat for 1 hour)
- Concomitant non-ischemic non-amyloid heart disease (valvular heart disease or dilated cardiomyopathy)
- Severe valve stenosis or regurgitation in the aortic, mitral or tricuspid valves, including prior valve replacement
- Severe pulmonary artery hypertension
- Severe lung disease
- Known obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease with stenosis \> 50% in any single territory
- Prior cardiac surgery
- Regional wall motion abnormality on echocardiogram
- Left ventricular ejection fraction \< 40%
- Pregnant state
- Documented allergy to N-13 ammonia or Definity
- Contraindications to DEFINITY® (Perflutren Lipid Microsphere) Injectable Suspension: o Patients with known or suspected Right-to-left, bi-directional, or transient right-to-left cardiac shunts, Hypersensitivity to perflutren
- Contraindications or challenges to sonotherapy
- Severe electrolyte abnormalities
- QTc prolongation (values are greater than 450 milliseconds in males and greater than 470 milliseconds in females)
- BMI \> 35 kg/m2
- Documented intracardiac thrombus
- Atrial fibrillation not on anticoagulation
- Prior history of stroke
- Any other reason determined by the investigator that makes a subject a poor candidate for ultrasound therapy
Where
- Boston, Massachusetts
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Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Nov 14, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations