Congenital Heart Defects clinical trials at UCSF

COMPASS is a prospective multicenter randomized interventional trial. Participants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow will be randomized to receive either a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt or ductal artery stent. Block randomization will be performed by center and by single vs. two ventricle status. Participants will be followed through the first year of life.

This study will demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the Edwards Lifesciences SAPIEN 3/SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) Systems in subjects with a dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) conduit or previously implanted valve in the pulmonic position with a clinical indication for intervention.

In one of the most severe congenital heart defects, hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), the left ventricle is underdeveloped and the prognosis is worse than in most other heart defects. The underdevelopment can occur gradually during fetal growth caused by a narrowing of the aortic valve. At some international centers, such fetuses are treated with a balloon dilation of the narrowed valve, but there is no scientifically sound evidence that this treatment is effective. The aim of this study is: 1/ to evaluate whether balloon dilation during the fetal period of a narrowed aortic valve can reduce the risk of the left ventricle becoming underdeveloped and the baby being born with a so-called univentricular heart (HLHS); 2/ to investigate whether such treatment improves the prognosis for this group of children with a very complex and severe heart defect and 3/ to also describe side effects and risks in fetuses and mothers of the fetal procedure.

In this prospective study, the investigators will enroll 154 children with arterial lines to determine the accuracy of pulse oximeters in children with darker skin pigmentation. Studies in adults suggest pulse oximeters may overestimate the true level of oxygenation in the blood as measured directly by co-oximetry. However, pediatric data are relatively limited. This study, which is funded by the FDA through the Stanford-UCSF (University of California San Francisco) Clinical Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI) Program, will determine if the error/bias is associated with skin pigmentation and whether the error falls outside FDA standards. The broader purpose of the study is to work toward eliminating health disparities.