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NCT Number: NCT07313410

Using Near-Infrared Light to Better Understand Peripheral Artery Disease

The goal of this study is to better understand how blood flows and how oxygen is utilized in the lower limbs of people who suffer from peripheral artery disease. This study will also assess how these factors affect treatment outcomes.

Specific aims include:

Aim 1: Utilize BB-NIR-DCS to differentiate PAD patients experiencing primary oxygen delivery limitations from those suffering from mitochondrial dysfunction.

Aim 2: Test the efficacy of BB-NIR-DCS at predicting individual responses to vascular intervention.

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Key information

Conditions

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Arterial Occlusive Diseases Arteriosclerosis Atherosclerosis Cardiovascular Diseases Peripheral Arterial Disease Peripheral Vascular Diseases Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States

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About this study

Subjects that do not have peripheral artery disease will complete the study procedures up to two times (baseline and follow-up at 1-2 months).

Subjects diagnosed with peripheral artery disease may be asked to complete the study procedures up to 4 separate times (baseline, follow-up at 1-2 weeks, 1-2 months, and 4-6 months). The investigators will work with them to schedule each visit.

All participants will provide informed consent prior to participating in the study. The screening procedures will include collecting information about health history, age, sex, race/ethnicity, height, weight, and reasons one should not undergo an MRI or exercise.

The laboratory procedures will include questionnaires about quality of life and walking ability, Ankle- Brachial Index, functional performance measures (treadmill walking and six minute walk distance), wearable activity monitor and activity log, and lower limb MRI with muscle perfusion and oxygenation measures at rest and in response to physiologic provocation (ischemia-reperfusion and exercise).

Investigators may ask subjects to return on a separate day to repeat part, or all, of the study procedures depending on image quality and/or equipment performance.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Cases, Aim 1
  • 18 or older
  • willing to participate under the conditions described in the informed consent form (ICF)
  • eligible to sign the ICF
  • established diagnosis of PAD confirmed by a physician
  • able to comply with the study requirements
  • Cases, Aim 2
  • completed Aim 1
  • Controls 1) asymptomatic, with no history or diagnosis of peripheral artery disease

Exclusion criteria

  • Cases, Aim 1
  • Ankle-Brachial Index >0.9 or <0.4
  • isolated disease in aorta/iliac vessels
  • unstable angina or myocardial infarction in past 12 months
  • orthopedic or other physical limitations which would prevent data collection
  • contraindications to MRI, including presence of a Pacemaker, presence of bone growth/ bone fusion stimulators, presence of tissue expander, presence of cochlear implants, unable to ambulate for 10 feet, receiving continuous Oxygen therapy, pregnancy, permanent Jewelry (screened using MRI safety screening form and verbal screening by MRI operator
  • Cases, Aim 2
  • unstable angina or myocardial infarction in past 12 months
  • orthopedic or other physical limitations which would prevent data collection
  • contraindications to MRI, including presence of a pacemaker, presence of bone growth/ bone fusion stimulators, presence of tissue expander, presence of cochlear implants, unable to ambulate for 10 feet, receiving continuous Oxygen therapy, pregnancy, permanent Jewelry (screened using MRI safety screening form and verbal screening by MRI operator).
  • Controls 1) history of peripheral artery disease 2) overt cardiovascular disease (e.g. heart failure) 3) known pulmonary disease (excluding mild asthma) 4) current tobacco use 5) orthopedic or other physical limitations which would prevent data collection, 6) BP >150/90 mmHg at screening 7) contraindications to MRI, including presence of a pacemaker, presence of bone growth/ bone fusion stimulators, presence of tissue expander, presence of cochlear implants, unable to ambulate for 10 feet, receiving continuous Oxygen therapy, pregnancy, permanent Jewelry (screened using MRI safety screening form and verbal screening by MRI operator).

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Perceived Quality of life

    Time frame: Baseline and up to 26 weeks

    Participants will complete a health questionnaire to gain a deeper understanding of their quality of life.

  2. Ankle- Brachial Index

    Time frame: Baseline and upto 26 weeks

    The Ankle Brachial Index will be noninvasively assessed using the Smartdop XT device (Koven Technology, Inc.)

  3. Walking ability

    Time frame: Baseline and upto 26 weeks

    Participants will complete a questionnaire to gain a deeper understanding of their walking ability

  4. Functional performance

    Time frame: Baseline and upto 26 weeks

    Participants will be asked to walk as much as they can for six minutes (up and down a long hallway). Then, they will be asked to walk on a treadmill at 2 mph (3.2 km/h) at a grade of 10% for all as long as they can, or for a maximum of 10 minutes.

  5. Steps taken

    Time frame: Baseline and upto 26 weeks

    Participants will be asked to wear an activity monitor on their wrist to track the number of steps they take each day for up to 6 months. A member of the study team will contact them by phone, email or text message each week to remind them to complete a log book of their daily activity.

  6. Oxygen level of leg muscles

    Time frame: Baseline and upto 26 weeks

    Participants will be asked to perform exercise with their lower leg (affected leg, if they have peripheral artery disease) while they are in an MRI. A small plastic device (about the size of a match box) will also be placed on their lower limb. This device will measure the oxygen level of their leg muscles using near-infrared light.

  7. Body composition

    Time frame: Baseline and up to 26 weeks

    An MRI will be performed across the upper and lower body to measure muscle size, muscle quality, adiposity and body structure.

  8. Leg Exercise MRI

    Time frame: Baseline and upto 26 weeks

    Participants will be asked to perform exercise with their lower leg (affected leg, if they have peripheral artery disease) while they are in an MRI. The MRI will be used to measure the blood flow in leg and the oxygen level of the blood in their veins.

  9. Lower Leg Ischemia-Reperfusion

    Time frame: Baseline and up to 26 weeks

    A blood pressure cuff will be inflated around the upper leg for 5 minutes before being released. Leg blood flow and vein oxygen saturation will be measured throughout.

  10. Leg muscle size and quality

    Time frame: Baseline and up to 26 weeks

    An MRI of the leg will be performed to measure muscle size and tissue characteristics.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Michael Nelson, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

8175130383

Rajvi Shah, MPH

CONTACT

[email protected]

2147557343

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Texas at Arlington

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Near-Infrared Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy to Better Define the Pathophysiology of Peripheral Artery Disease

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Jan 2, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 2, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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