Clinical Research Directory

Detecting the Undetected: Heart Failure Screening at the Lymphoedema Point of Care

Heart failure affects more people than the four most common cancers combined. When identified early, management is more straightforward, preventing complications, hospitalisations, and fatalities. Breathlessness and fatigue are cardinal symptoms of heart failure that can present in a number of conditions. As a result, leg swelling, the third cardinal symptom, is the first noted in many people. The presence of leg swelling leads to patients being seen in lymphoedema clinics before the need for cardiology investigation has been identified. Lymphoedema is the presence of chronic oedema as a result of congenital abnormalities, inflammation, infection, trauma, or cancer and its treatments. The vast majority of lymphoedema patients have swelling in their legs. A recent study has shown that 9.4% lymphoedema patients need to be investigated for heart failure. At present, the need for investigation is identified by performing a laboratory blood test, which takes time to arrange and complete. An alternate point of care test can provide a result in 12-minutes at the lymphoedema appointment, and enable appropriate action to be taken. This can reduce the demands on primary care and shorten the chain of events to a specialist assessment, as well as reducing inappropriate referrals. This research, funded by NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, will perform a point of care test to screen for possible heart failure in lymphoedema clinics and establish the clinical utility by exploring the experiences of patients and staff involved and determining the health economic benefits. A supplementary aim is to compare the point of care test to the currently used laboratory test in a subsample to promote confidence in the test and support efforts to spread and scale across all health boards in Wales on completion.

A Study on the Correlation Between Cardiac-Cerebral Oxygenation Reserve and Cognitive Function Changes in Heart Failure Patients

At different stages of heart failure (HF), the cardiac and cerebral oxygen reserve exhibits varying degrees of decline due to chronic hypoxia and microvascular dysfunction caused by reduced cardiac output, leading to cognitive dysfunction. As a direct marker of microvascular function, early identification and intervention of cardiac and cerebral oxygen reserve are crucial to prevent irreversible damage to organs such as the heart and brain. However, there is currently no precise and effective method to quantify cardiac and cerebral oxygen reserve. Oxygen-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (OS-MRI), as an emerging functional imaging technique, can dynamically monitor oxygenation changes and oxygen reserve capacity in Homo sapiens tissues. However, due to its technical complexity, its application in combined cardiac and cerebral assessment in HF patients remains underexplored. This prospective, single-center cohort study employs OS-MRI combined with respiratory maneuvers to examine the heart and brain in HF patients at different stages. Continuous image acquisition is performed during hyperventilation to breath-holding, and myocardial oxygen reserve (MORE) and cerebral oxygen reserve (CORE) are derived using MATLAB and CVI42 post-processing software. Cognitive function is assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale, with scores \<26 indicating mild cognitive dysfunction. Subsequently, SPSS is used to analyze the correlation between cardiac/cerebral oxygen reserve and MoCA scores, providing imaging-based evidence for early clinical detection of oxygen reserve decline in HF patients and confirming the potential link between cardiac/cerebral oxygen reserve, HF, and cognitive dysfunction.

Effect of the Home-based Digital-assisted Dyadic Tai Chi (HDTC) Training Program Among Sedentary Individuals With HF and Their Caregivers: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The full scale RCT aims to assess the effectiveness of the HDTC training program in improving functional capacity, cardiac function and secondary outcomes among sedentary chronic heart failure (CHF) individuals, while simultaneously reducing care burden and improving other outcomes for their caregivers.

Novel Technologies to Improve Echocardiographic Estimates of Left Ventricular Filling Pressure in Heart Failure Combined With Atrial Fibrillation

Heart failure and atrial fibrillation are two of the most common heart diseases globally. Nearly half of all patients with heart failure also have atrial fibrillation. When heart failure and atrial fibrillation occur together, the risk of hospitalization and premature death increases significantly. However, there is a lack of reliable tools to assess how severely the heart is affected in these patients. This makes it difficult both to establish the correct diagnosis, tailor treatment, and predict who is at greatest risk of hospital admission or death from the disease. One of the most important targets in heart failure is the filling pressure in the left ventricle. When this pressure is high, it means that the heart has difficulty receiving blood, leading to shortness of breath and fluid retention in the body. Today, filling pressure is usually estimated using ultrasound (echocardiography), but the available methods are primarily developed for patients without atrial fibrillation. In patients with both heart failure and atrial fibrillation, the measurements are so uncertain that they cannot be used as a reliable basis for clinical decision-making. In this study, entitled Heart Failure combined with Atrial Fibrillation (HFcAF), the investigators will test new ultrasound methods that combine novel measures of cardiac chamber function with established techniques. Artificial intelligence will be used to identify the most useful combinations of parameters, select cardiac cycles that are best suited for analysis in atrial fibrillation, and automate and optimize the measurements. This approach may provide both more accurate and faster assessments, while also making the methods easier to implement in clinical practice. The aim is to improve the estimation of filling pressure so that it becomes more precise also in patients with atrial fibrillation. The investigators will then examine whether these improved methods can be used to predict which patients are at highest risk of hospitalization or death due to heart failure. The study is designed as a prospective multicenter study, in which patients are recruited from several hospitals in different countries. This will make the results robust and generalizable to a wide range of patient populations. The investigators anticipate that the project will pave the way for better diagnostics and risk stratification in heart failure combined with atrial fibrillation and, in the longer term, contribute to improved guidelines and treatment for a large number of patients. If successful, the project will provide a new tool that can contribute to earlier and more targeted treatment, thereby improving quality of life and prognosis for a large group of patients.

Evaluation of Remote Motivational Interviewing for Disease Management in Heart Failure Patients and Their Carers

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic and progressive condition that significantly affects patients' quality of life and increases the burden on family caregivers. Many patients struggle with self-care, including medication adherence, diet, and symptom monitoring. The REMIND HF (REmote Motivational INterviewing for Disease Management in Heart Failure) study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of remote motivational interviewing (MI) as a behavioral intervention to improve disease management and self-care among heart failure patients and their informal caregivers. The intervention consists of a series of online motivational interviews conducted by trained nurses over a 12-month period, focusing on lifestyle modification, self-monitoring, and patient-caregiver cooperation. The study will be conducted at the Wroclaw Medical University and collaborating centers. It will enroll 300 patients with heart failure (The New York Heart Association Functional Classificaion - NYHA class: II-IV) and their primary caregivers. Outcomes will include self-care behaviors, quality of life, psychological well-being, and health service utilization. The results will contribute to developing accessible, patient-centered models of heart failure management based on telehealth and behavioral support.

Left Bundle Branch Pacing in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy After Myectomy

Pilot interventional randomized clinical trial to study the efficacy of left bundle branch pacing in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after myectomy for the prevention of progression of heart failure, prevent the occurrence of life-threatening rhythm disturbances and promote reverse remodeling of the LV. The aim of the study is to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator with left bundle branch block pacing and a dual-chamber cardioverter-defibrillator in patients with HCM and complete left bundle branch block after myectomy at high risk of SCD. Objectives of the study: 1. To analyze the safety of ICD implantation procedures with LBBB pacing in patients with HCM and LBBB after myectomy at high risk of SCD; 2. To develop a technique for LBBB lead implantation in patients with HCM and LBBB after myectomy; 3. To conduct a comparative analysis of QRS complex duration data based on ECG data before and after surgery, LV activation time, and pacing threshold based on postoperative programming data; 4. To conduct a comparative analysis of the functional class of CHF, NT-proBNP, the presence/absence of interventricular and intraventricular dyssynchrony, the degree of diastolic dysfunction, LVEF, and LV EDV based on echocardiography data before and 12 months after surgery; 5. Conduct a comparative analysis of QRS complex duration data based on ECG data, LV activation time, pacing threshold, the presence of recorded episodes of AF, VT, VF, antitachycardia and shock therapy according to programming data at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery; 6. Assess quality of life before and 12 months after surgery using the KCCQ-12 questionnaire; 30 patients (15 patients in each group) will be randomly separated into 2 groups. All participants go through ICD programming at 3, 6, and 12 months after myectomy, assessment of left ventricular remodeling based on ECG and echocardiography, NT-proBNP, assessment of quality of life before surgery and 12 months after surgery.

REsynchronization Comparison In LBBB and Normal or Mildly Reduced VENTricular Function With CRT (REINVENT-CRT)

Primary Objective - To determine if implantation of a permanent CRT pacing device (with LB-CRT, or conventional BiV-CRT with a coronary sinus LV lead) can improve electromechanical function, HF symptoms, and natriuretic peptide levels among patients with symptomatic HF, LVEF \> 35%, and LBBB.

Effects of Enhanced External Counterpulsation Combined With Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

This is a prospective randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) combined with cardiac rehabilitation in patients with atrial fibrillation. The study aims to assess whether this combined intervention can improve cardiac function and exercise capacity compared to standard care alone. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the EECP plus cardiac rehabilitation program or routine treatment. Primary outcomes include changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and six-minute walking distance (6MWD). The study will be conducted at Lanzhou University Second Hospital.

Diagnostic Electrical Cardioversion for Explaining Patient's AF and HF Symptoms

Rationale: The co-existence of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and Heart Failure (HF) is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and hospital admissions, significantly contributing to healthcare burden. Patients often experience overlapping symptoms, complicating identifying the disease primarily responsible for symptom burden. Electrical cardioversion (ECV) has been suggested to assess symptom status in sinus rhythm. However, the role of a diagnostic ECV in patients with AF and concomitant HF has not been established. The hypothesis of this trial is that a diagnostic ECV can provide insight into AF-specific and HF-specific symptoms that can inform the physician and subsequently lead to treatment changes, as well as improve quality of life (QoL), and result changes in ejection fraction, cardiac output, and NT-proBNP levels. Objective: To assess whether a diagnostic ECV results in more treatment changes after 3 months, compared to standard of care (no ECV). Study design: This is an investigator initiated, randomized, open label with blinded endpoint evaluation, multi-centre, trial. Study population: 112 patients with chronic HF and ECG confirmed persistent AF. Trial intervention: Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either an ECV or standard of care with pharmacological rate and/or rhythm control. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome: total number of treatment alterations by the physician during 3 months post intervention/randomization. Secondary outcomes: Success rate of ECV, recurrences of AF at 4 weeks, QoL changes assessed by AFEQT and KCCQ score, echocardiographic changes (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cardiac output (CO)), and laboratory changes (NT-proBNP) between baseline (pre-cardioversion) and 4 weeks (post-cardioversion). Whether the physician can distinguish AF from HF symptoms and whether ECV can be used as diagnostic tool. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: Since this is a pragmatic trial, the study will be embedded within care according to current AF and HF guidelines, that includes ECV and rhythm and/or rate control, while acknowledging wide variability in local practises. The patients in the intervention arm will undergo a diagnostic ECV. Both groups will fill out questionnaires regarding QoL (baseline and 4 weeks) and have an echocardiogram at 4 weeks. A blinded endpoint committee will assess potential treatment alterations prescribed by the physician in both patient groups within 3 months. No harm is expected for this study as the intervention will be based on national guidelines.

HEMOTAG® Assessment for Short-term Outcomes of Heart Failure

Evaluation of the HEMOTAG® system in a less controlled environment and concurrently develop the system for use by patients with heart failure.