For Scientists

HeartShare is an NHLBI-funded program to conduct large-scale analysis of phenotypic data, images, and omics from multiple existing datasets and from a new, prospective, multi-center cohort of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and comparators. The goal of this study is to classify HFpEF into distinct phenotypes, characterize mechanisms of disease, and identify therapeutic targets for each HFpEF subtype. In 2017, NHLBI convened a working group to establish research priorities in HFpEF due to its growing prevalence and lack of effective treatments. One of the key opportunities identified by the working group was to create a comprehensive, multi-center, deeply phenotyped cohort of HFpEF patients with standardized protocols and a robust biorepository. In 2020, NHLBI created funding opportunities for a Data Translation Center (RFA-HL-21-016) and 6 clinical centers (RFA-HL-21-015).

Organization of HeartShare

The HeartShare Data Translation Center at Northwestern University serves as the hub for coordinating the study and integrating all HeartShare data (existing datasets and prospective data). The 6 HeartShare Clinical Centers (Massachusetts General Hospital/Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, University of California-Davis, and Wake Forest University, are conducting the prospective deep phenotyping part of the study (n=1000 participants) under the direction of the HeartShare Data Translation Center.

Committees

Data Portal Committee

The HeartShare Data Portal Committee is the forum for design and implementation of workflows and interrelated platforms for integrating the diverse datasets and data resources applicable to HeartShare. Working closely with informatics and data science professionals across the consortium and with the Deep Phenotyping Committee, the Data Portal Committee ensures the processes for acquiring and integrating data –such as cohort, clinical trial, multi-omics, EHR, research testing, biomarkers, and imaging data –are sound, secure, effective, and adherent with the research protocols of HeartShare.

Co-chairs:
Faraz Ahmad, MD, MSc, Northwestern

Deep Phenotyping Committee

The HeartShare Deep Phenotyping Committee is tasked with the design and development of the deep phenotyping protocol for HeartShare. This committee has at least one representative from each of the clinical centers, and works collaboratively to ensure HeartShare captures data that will be integral to furthering HFpEF research. The Deep Phenotyping Protocol Committee works with the Data Portal Committee to ensure all data is captured and to plan how data will be integrated across HeartShare.

The Deep Phenotyping Committee completed the deep phenotyping protocol and it was submitted for IRB review at Northwestern in August 2022. Northwestern will act as the sIRB, with the other clinical centers in reliance. You can find a summary of the deep phenotyping protocol here.

Co-chairs:
Barry Borlaug, MD, Mayo Clinic
Julio Chirinos, MD, PhD, Penn

Eureka Working Group

The Eureka Working Group is developing the interface for contacting and enrolling participants, administering surveys, and creating eCRFs for the deep phenotyping study visits.

Chair:
Jeff Olgin, MD, Eureka Platform, UCSF

Extant Datasets Committee

The HeartShare Extant Dataset Committee determines what existing studies to include and works on harmonizing the data between these studies. The details of these studies will be added to this page as the details are finalized.

Co-chairs:
Ambarish Pandey, MD, UT Southern

Steffen Schaper, PhD, Bayer

Extant Images Committee

The Extant Images Committee will help organize the collection of images across studies, de-identification of images, and plan image analyses and harmonization.

Co-chairs:
Sanjiv Shah, MD, Northwestern
Scott Solomon, MD, Mass General Brigham

Machine Learning/AI Committee

The Machine Learning/AI committee will develop new tools and/or implement existing tools on HeartShare data and images. The committee will also help plan the methods for analyzing the deep phenotyping data collected propsectively.

Chair:
Yuan Luo, PhD, Northwestern

Multi-omics/TOPMed Committee

The Multi-omics/TOPMed Committee will develop methods for multi-omics analyses, and will work closely with TOPMed to conduct these studies (e.g., paper proposals in TOPMed, analytic plans for HeartShare, etc)

Co-chairs:
Nipavan Chiamvimonvat, MD, UC Davis
Denise Scholtens, PhD, Northwestern

Publications and Ancillary Studies Committee

The HeartShare Publications and Ancillary Studies (PAS) Committee has the following goals:

  • To encourage publication submissions – particularly collaborative works involving multiple HeartShare sites.
  • To ensure and expedite orderly and timely presentations to the scientific community of all pertinent data resulting from HeartShare studies.
  • To ensure scientifically accurate presentations and papers from HeartShare investigators.
  • To maintain a complete up-to-date list of HeartShare presentations and publications, and to distribute such lists to all HeartShare investigators on a regular basis.
  • To support submission of Ancillary Studies aligned with HeartShare objectives for extramural funding

Co-chairs:
Sadiya Khan, MD, MSc, Northwestern
Renee Wong, PhD, NHLBI

Research Skills Committee

The Research Skills Committee will oversee the training program component of HeartShare, including the structure of the training program, curriculum, syllabus, application process, selection of trainees, and evaluation of trainees.  You can learn more about the research skills program here.

Co-chairs:
Jordy Cohen, MD, MSCE, Penn
Phil Greenland, MD, Northwestern