HCM studies in progress...
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (or HCM) is a genetic heart disease in which the heart muscle is thickened. This heart disease is usually inherited through genetic predisposition (50%).
However, not everyone with a genetic predisposition will get HCM and it is still unclear which trigger factors might be.
1 • ENERGY Trial
Previous research has shown that by people with a genetic predisposition to develop the heart disease HCM, the heart muscle uses energy less efficiently.
Purpose of the ENERGY Trial
The ENERGY Trial team is investigating whether the medication Trimetazidine improves the energy efficiency of the heart muscle. This is done in a double-blind study, with a placebo (a fake drug) as a control, where both patients and doctors do not know which treatment is given.
The energy efficiency is determined before and after 2 months of treatment with an MRI scan and a PET/CT scan of the heart. Because genetic predisposition is important, we perform this examination on people who are carriers of the MYBPC3 or MYH7 gene mutations, but who have no symptoms and are otherwise completely healthy.
2 • FUSION Study
FUSION-HCM Study is designed to gain more insights into the metabolism of the heart by people with the genetic predisposition to HCM at different stages of the heart disease.
The metabolism of the heart is measured with PET/CT and MRI scans and an ultrasound scan of the heart. This is done by people who are carriers of the MYBPC3 or MYH7 gene mutations, both without symptoms and with mild or advanced signs of HCM.