Baylor Research Institute

This study tested a device called the Lariat to close a small pouch in the heart (the left atrial appendage) in people with atrial fibrillation who are at risk for stroke but cannot take blood thinners. Nine participants underwent the procedure to see if it could safely and effec…

This study looked at whether community health workers can help low-income adults better manage chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. About 200 people took part over 10 months. The goal was to see if working with a health worker improved health markers …

This study tested whether adding a very low-carbohydrate diet to a proven lifestyle program could help lower blood pressure in lower-income African American adults. About 64 participants were followed for 10 months. The goal was to see if this approach could reduce heart disease …

This early-phase study tested whether adding the drug anakinra to standard chemotherapy is safe for people with advanced pancreatic cancer that has spread. Thirteen adults with metastatic pancreatic cancer took part. The main goal was to check for side effects, and researchers al…

This study tested whether a once-weekly injection of exenatide, a drug used for type 2 diabetes, can improve markers of heart and kidney health in people with diabetes and mild kidney problems. 57 adults received either exenatide or a placebo for 38 weeks. Researchers measured ch…

This study tested whether giving inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) during liver transplant surgery can reduce damage and help the new liver work better. It included 23 adults receiving a liver from a less-than-ideal donor. The goal was to see if iNO could protect the liver from injury c…

This study tested three different weight loss strategies in 110 adults with chronic spinal cord injury who were overweight. The goal was to see which approach—prepackaged meals, better self-monitoring, or a combined program—helped people lose weight and improve their health. The …

This study looked at whether a once-daily inhaler (TRELEGY ELLIPTA) can reduce the need for extra breathing treatments in adults hospitalized for COPD flare-ups. About 80 participants took the inhaler plus short-term steroids and were followed for 30 days after leaving the hospit…

This study tested a weight loss program designed for people with long-term mobility problems. 67 overweight adults with mobility impairments participated. The program focused on healthy eating and physical activity to help manage weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

This study tested whether a once-daily anti-rejection medication (Envarsus) works as well as the standard twice-daily drug (Prograf) in heart transplant patients. Fifty adults who received a heart transplant took part. The goal was to see if the easier once-daily dosing could hel…

This study looked for DNA markers in blood that could help detect a serious type of ovarian cancer early. Researchers compared blood and tissue samples from 10 women with and without the disease. The goal is to develop a simple blood test for earlier diagnosis.

This study tested a special ultrasound technique called ShearWave Elastography to measure liver stiffness as a way to assess liver disease without a needle biopsy. Over 1,200 adults with chronic liver disease, liver transplants, or heart failure had a quick scan during their regu…

This study tested whether a silver alginate dressing (Algidex) placed over central line insertion sites can prevent bloodstream infections in very low birth weight infants (500-1500 grams). Researchers compared infection rates, hospital stay length, and safety in 100 babies recei…

This study looked at whether playing the harmonica could help people with COPD. Fifteen people who had finished a lung rehab program at least six months earlier took part in a 12-week harmonica training program. The goal was to see if it could strengthen breathing muscles, reduce…

This study tested whether giving a long-lasting numbing medicine (liposomal bupivacaine) into the breastbone before cutting it during heart surgery can lower pain and reduce the need for opioid painkillers. 70 adults having chest surgery took part. The goal was to see if this app…

This study looked at 650 women in labor to see if a flexible epidural catheter with multiple openings (multiport) provides better pain relief than the standard single-opening (uniport) catheter. The goal was to improve comfort during labor and delivery. Results will help doctors …

This study tested a type of talk therapy called prolonged exposure therapy for people with both PTSD and a spinal cord injury. 30 adults who were at least 30 days past their injury took part. They were randomly assigned to either receive the therapy or continue their usual care. …

This study looked at 69 heart transplant patients to see if a special body composition scan (bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy) could help predict complications like organ rejection, kidney injury, or long hospital stays. Researchers compared the scan results with older method…

This study looked at 81 people with mild memory problems who were getting a heart valve replacement (TAVR). Researchers tested their thinking and memory before and after the procedure using a 5-minute quiz. The goal was to see if fixing the heart valve helps improve brain functio…

This study looked at two strategies to improve diabetes care: giving doctors feedback on their performance (profiling) and having a diabetes nurse coordinate care. It included 1891 older adults with diabetes in Texas. The goal was to see if these approaches helped patients meet b…

This study collected blood samples from 26 people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease and their close family members. Researchers analyzed DNA and RNA to find biological markers that could help doctors diagnose and treat the disease earlier. The goal is to better understand how …

This study tested a Spanish-language electronic tool called TAPS-ESP to see if it can accurately screen for tobacco, alcohol, prescription drug misuse, and illicit substance use in primary care. About 1,000 Spanish-speaking adults from a clinic took the screening, and their resul…

This study tested whether continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can help track blood sugar levels in hospitalized adults with diabetes. Forty patients wore a CGM device during their hospital stay to see if it could catch dangerous highs and lows better than standard checks. The goal…

This study looked at how robotic gait training compares to standard walking therapy for people with spinal cord injury during inpatient rehab. 115 participants were involved, and researchers measured improvements in walking ability and independence. The goal was to find out which…

This study looked at 221 liver transplant recipients to see if a lab test could predict which patients are more likely to reject their new liver. Researchers analyzed gene expression patterns to find signatures of rejection or tolerance. The goal was to improve monitoring and car…

This study looked at how doctors in the U.S. manage blood thinners in heart patients who need surgery. The goal was to understand current practices and track risks like bleeding or heart attacks. 147 patients who had a heart stent and were on two blood thinners were followed befo…

This study looked at blood and urine samples from 95 adults aged 40 and older to find chemical markers that could help detect Alzheimer's disease early. Researchers compared samples from people with normal aging, mild cognitive impairment, and different stages of Alzheimer's. The…

This study aimed to find genetic markers in blood and uterine tissue that could help predict which women are at risk for uterine atony, a condition where the uterus fails to contract after delivery, leading to dangerous bleeding. Researchers analyzed samples from 21 women to comp…

This study looked at 66 adults with blocked dialysis grafts or fistulas to see if adding an ultrasound probe inside the blood vessel (IVUS) to regular X-ray imaging (angiography) helps doctors better understand and treat the blockages. The goal was to compare how well each method…

This study followed 42 adults with spinal cord injury for one year after leaving rehab. Researchers tracked what they ate, how active they were, and factors like mood and kitchen access to understand why weight gain happens. The goal is to use this information to design better he…

This study looked at whether adding continuous breathing rate monitoring to standard oxygen and pulse checks can catch breathing problems earlier in adults recovering from surgery who are taking opioid pain medicine. Researchers observed 87 patients using a special neck sensor an…

This study looked at 213 adults with liver cirrhosis who were being evaluated for a liver transplant. Researchers compared two types of blood tests—cystatin C and creatinine—to see which one more accurately measures kidney function. The goal was to find a better way to detect kid…

This study looked at 5 adults with Fabry disease who have been on enzyme replacement therapy since childhood for about 15 years. Researchers measured kidney function and heart health to see how well the long-term treatment worked. The goal was to gather follow-up data, not to tes…

This study collected blood and tissue samples from 91 adults with aortic valve disease to look for genetic differences that might explain why some develop dangerous bulges in the aorta (aneurysms). Researchers compared three groups: people with bicuspid valves, tricuspid valves, …

This study looked at how social factors like income, housing, and stress, along with depression, affect blood vessel health in 105 low-income racial and ethnic minority adults. Participants completed questionnaires about their mental health, social needs, and lifestyle. The goal …

This study looked at 92 people getting a new heart valve through a leg artery. It compared two ways to close the artery afterward to see which caused fewer bleeding problems. The goal was to find the safer method for this common procedure.