Percutaneous Muscle Biopsy

Percutaneous Muscle Biopsy
Enrolling By Invitation
18 years - 90 years
All
Phase N/A
1 Location

Brief description of study

The Percutaneous Muscle Biopsy Study is being conducted to learn about the differences in muscle tissue from patients with heart failure, hypertension, or a mitochondrial disorder compared to healthy patients. Patients undergo a biopsy of their thigh, which is a quick procedure involving a small cut through the skin. The goal is to develop a repository of skeletal muscle samples for study.

Detailed description of study

In patients with heart failure, there is disassociation between exercise capacity and cardiac performance. My research focuses on understanding the peripheral (i.e. non-cardiac) mechanisms of exertional intolerance in heart failure patients. 

We have developed non-invasive techniques to assess skeletal muscle oxidative capacity, the diffusional conductance for oxygen across the skeletal muscle into the mitochondria, and how the metabolites associated with exercise may impact the sympathetic nervous system through a reflex arc known as the metaboreflex. We are always in the process of thinking of new non-invasive ways to assess the determinants of exercise capacity. While these techniques offer a wealth of information, analyzing the skeletal muscle tissue itself would provide enormous additional information. 

This informed consent and protocol have been developed to include muscle biopsy as either an optional assessment to be performed during any of our IRB-approved protocols or as a stand-alone procedure, in the hopes of ultimately developing a repository of skeletal muscle samples.

Eligibility of study

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions: Heart Failure, HFpEF, HFrEF, Hypertension, Healthy controls
  • Age: 18 years - 90 years
  • Gender: All


Updated on 17 Feb 2026. Study ID: 17-0241
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Study is selecting its participants from a population, or group of people, decided on by the researchers in advance.

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