# Functional Characterization of Children with Chronic Thromboembolic Disease

> **NIH NIH R56** · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $704,308

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Venous thrombosis affects approximately 1 in 200 hospitalized children. Important complications include
shortness of breath and an inability to exercise in the first year after diagnosis resulting in a decreased quality
of life. While considerable progress has been made in understanding the etiology and treatment of thrombosis
in children, mechanisms contributing to complications after thrombosis in some patients or its absence in
others remain largely unknown. In this proposal, we will evaluate potential mechanisms underlying shortness of
breath and exercise intolerance after thrombosis. Our hypothesis is that a combination of heart, lung and
muscle factors may explain these problems. We will enroll children between the ages of 8-20 years with
thrombosis affecting either the lower legs or lungs, who will then undergo state-of-the art exercise and imaging
assessments at 6 months after diagnosis. Aim 1 will characterize the cardiac limitations and Aim 2 will assess
the contribution of chronic thrombi in the lungs and deconditioning on pulmonary limitations after pulmonary
embolism. Aim 3 will investigate skeletal muscle problems after deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary
embolism.
We have developed and implemented a clinical program called the Pediatric Thrombosis and VTE Outcomes
Program at the University of Texas Southwestern and Children's Medical Center, Dallas. This program risk
stratifies all children initiating anticoagulation therapy and has prospectively captured important VTE
complications in children after VTE for up to 2 years after diagnosis. Given this existing infrastructure and
additional clinical sites from TX, we will be able to enroll adequate number of eligible patients to allow us to
investigate potential mechanisms underlying functional limitations after thrombosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10241771
- **Project number:** 1R56HL153963-01
- **Recipient organization:** UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Ayesha Zia
- **Activity code:** R56 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $704,308
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-17 → 2021-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10241771

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10241771, Functional Characterization of Children with Chronic Thromboembolic Disease (1R56HL153963-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10241771. Licensed CC0.

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