Clinical Research Directory

Corheart 6 Left Ventricular Assist System Prospective, Multicenter, Single-arm Clinical Evaluation Trial

This study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Corheart 6 Left Ventricular Assist System (Corheart 6 LVAS) used for the treatment of end-stage heart failure.

Long-Term Survival After LVAD Implantation in End-Stage Heart Failure

This is a prospective, observational, multi-center cohort study designed to evaluate long-term survival and clinical outcomes in patients with end-stage heart failure undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Patients receiving LVAD implantation as part of routine clinical care will be enrolled and followed for up to 3-5 years. During the study period, data will be collected on baseline characteristics, preoperative medical therapy, intraoperative surgical information, in-hospital course, and long-term postoperative medication use, as well as survival status, major clinical outcomes, LVAD-related complications, and hospital readmissions. In addition, myocardial tissue samples will be obtained from the left ventricular apex during LVAD implantation surgery. These tissue samples are routinely removed as part of the standard surgical procedure and would otherwise be discarded after pathological examination. Peripheral blood samples will also be collected at predefined time points as part of routine clinical blood testing. No additional surgical procedures or invasive interventions are required for this study. This study does not involve any experimental treatment or changes to standard medical care. All treatments and follow-up assessments are determined by the treating physicians according to routine clinical practice. The purpose of this study is to improve understanding of long-term outcomes after LVAD implantation and to explore potential biological factors associated with prognosis in patients with end-stage heart failure.

Whole Heart Radiotherapy for End-stage Heart Failure

End-stage heart failure (ESHF) causes recurrent hospitalizations, cardiac arrhythmias, and intolerance to standard HF therapies are common as the disease progresses. Management focuses on controlling symptoms, correcting precipitants, avoiding triggers, and improving quality-of-life. The combination of recent preclinical and clinical data suggests that localized cardiac RT is relatively safe and has positive conductive and anti-proliferative effects in the "sick" heart. In this Phase 1 study, the investigators aim to assess the feasibility and safety of 5 Gy whole heart radiotherapy in six (6) ESHF participants with limited options for further medical therapy to control their disease. The investigators hypothesize that 5 Gy whole heart radiotherapy can improve LVEF and decrease blood markers of heart failure and inflammation including B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and troponins, while also having a very tolerable side effect profile.

LVAD Versus GDMT in Ambulatory Advanced Heart Failure Patients

Heart failure is a severe disease affecting approximately 1-2% of the adult population in developed countries and around 26 million people worldwide. Up to 10% of these patients are in advanced stage heart failure, which is defined by a significant morbimortality and considerable medical expenses. Despite advances in its medical management, advanced (or end stage) heart failure is characterized by refractoriness to conventional therapies including guideline-directed pharmacological and non-surgical device treatments. These patients remain severely symptomatic (NYHA IV) and have objective signs of congestion or low cardiac output. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been used in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction for almost 20 years either as an alternative or a bridge to heart transplantation. LVADs improve heart failure symptoms and survival at the cost of increased rates of infection, stroke and bleeding. Despite the lack of evidence, LVAD implantation in ambulatory patients is not rare, with INTERMACS profiles ≥4 patients representing 15.7% of the overall population implanted between 2012 and 2016. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of left ventricular assist devices compared to traditional HF medical treatment alone in a population of ambulatory advanced heart failure patients. Secondary objectives are to better identify subgroups of patients that would benefit the most from the implantation of an LVAD as well as to assess the optimal timing of intervention.