Clinical Research Directory

Myocardial Mechanisms in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

The purpose of this study is to identify changes in heart tissue structure and biological function in patients with heart failure by performing an endomyocardial biopsy (EMB or heart biopsy) during a right heart catheterization (RHC). The ultimate goal is to use this information to develop new treatments for heart failure.

SGLT2 Inhibitors, Ketones, and Cardiovascular Benefit Research Plan

The study team will examine the effects of SGLT2i (and SGLT2i-induced increases in plasma ketone concentrations) on skeletal muscle and cardiac ketone uptake, skeletal muscle bioenergetics, cardiopulmonary exercise capacity, and patient-reported functional outcomes.

Maridebart Cafraglutide in Heart Failure With Preserved or Mildly Reduced Ejection Fraction and Obesity

This trial will examine if maridebart cafraglutide as an adjunct to standard of care will lead to a reduction in heart failure (HF) events such as HF hospitalizations and urgent HF visits, cardiovascular (CV) deaths and improvement in HF symptoms in participants with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) who are obese. This is a phase 3, global, multicenter, 2-part trial with a double-blind period and an open-label extension (OLE). The trial is event-driven, and Part 1 will conclude when approximately 850 primary endpoint events have occurred.

PBMC as Biomarkers of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially when associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) is at high risk to develop heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF), and the specific impact of T2D+MS in cardiac function impairment is usually known as "diabetic cardiomyopathy" (DC). Cardiac remodelling (ie hypertrophy) and subtle myocardial dysfunction are highly prevalent in T2D+MS but not specific enough to predict further HFpEF or HFmrEF. Also, current biomarkers can identify but do not predict HFpEF or HFmrEF in T2D patients; Furthermore, specific biomarkers are needed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from a peripheral blood sample can provide insights from calcic and inflammatory pathways, and may identify more specific molecular signatures shared between T2D+MS and HFpEF.

BOOST: Blended Onsite and Offsite Structured Exercise Training and Coaching

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) represents a major public health burden that is both growing rapidly and has few effective therapies. Supervised exercise training (SET) is one of the few effective therapies for older patients with HFpEF, but is currently constrained by cost, resource limitations, and sub-optimal short and long-term clinical response. The objective is to develop and test novel strategies to augment the therapy of exercise training to optimize response and resource utilization in older patients with HFpEF.

A Study of TX000045 in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (the APEX Study)

TX000045-003 is a double-blind, randomized, parallel group, placebo-controlled, proof- of-concept (POC) study, evaluating 2 dose regimens of TX000045 over the course of a 24-week treatment period (the APEX study).

Purinergic Signaling and the Postmenopausal Heart

There is an increased risk of diastolic heart failure in post menopausal women. Estrogen plays a positive role in regulating molecular pathways in heart remodeling. Such pathways may work through purinergic signaling and its downstream effects on the heart's mitochondrial metabolism and angiogenic response to stress. Loss of estrogen functionality in post menopausal women may account for the increased risk of diastolic heart failure. The investigators will explore said pathways using cardiac tissue obtained from patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Cardiac Rehab Effects in HFpEF

This research in Veterans with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) will provide new information on the mechanisms determining the patients' exercise intolerance and the efficacy of regular physical activity to improve this shortcoming by alleviating the patients' neurocirculatory abnormalities. Specifically, the investigators will focus on the role of nerves originating in working limb muscles in determining the patients' exercise intolerance and compromised fatigue resistance before and after a chronic exercise intervention. By focusing on a specific mechanism, this project will evaluate the validity of exercise as an alternative treatment strategy with the overall purpose of improving the quality of life of Veterans with HFpEF.

A Randomized Placebo-procedure Controlled Trial of the Enhancor System (PULmonary Artery Denervation) to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy in Patients With Combined Pre- and Post-capillary Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Left Heart Disease

The goal of this clinical study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous pulmonary artery denervation with the Multi-Pole Pulmonary Artery Radiofrequency Ablation Enhancor System in patients with combined pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (CpcPH) associated with left heart disease (LHD). This randomized control trial will compare the investigational device (The Enhancor System) to control (medical therapy.) Participants who will consist of patients with chronic heart failure (HF) who are receiving maximally tolerated guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for left heart failure, are clinically stable, and who have been diagnosed with CpcPH by right heart catheterization (RHC), will be treated with PADN and followed for 3 years.

Real-Time Monitoring of Heart Failure Across the Yale New Haven Health System

The Yale HF Registry is a live EHR based registry that allows for retrospective and real-time monitoring of Heart Failure case across the Yale New Haven Health System.

A Study Of CS Reducer For Symptomatic Heart Failure With HFpEF And CMD

To evaluate the effect of CS reducer implantation in patients with HFPEF and CMD on myocardial ischemia, measured by stress myocardial perfusion using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)

Neprilysin Inhibition to Reduce Myocardial Fibrosis in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of myocardial interstitial fibrosis (MIF) are elevated in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients and associated with poor prognosis. Extracellular volume (ECV) is the most reproducible and best validated cardiac MRI measure of MIF. Sacubitril/valsartan reduces histological MIF in mice and levels of some extracellular matrix regulatory proteins in humans with HFpEF. However, the effect of sacubitril/valsartan on robust measures of MIF in humans is unknown. Demonstrating reductions in ECV with sacubitril/valsartan would clarify the mechanism of this approved medication. Given the borderline reduction in heart failure hospitalizations with sacubitril/valsartan and the heterogeneity of HFpEF pathophysiology, this result would suggest that neprilysin inhibition may particularly benefit HFpEF patients with greater MIF. The investigators propose a proof-of-concept clinical trial to evaluate the effect of neprilysin inhibition (sacubitril/valsartan vs valsartan alone) on cardiac MRI measures of fibrosis (principally ECV) and circulating protein levels.

Impact of Intravenous Iron Repletion On Mechanisms of Exercise InTolerance in HFpEF (IRONMET-HFpEF)

The primary objective of this study is to determine if the correction of functional iron deficiency by administering a single dose of intravenous iron (ferric derimaltose or Monoferric®) in participants with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) will improve exercise capacity as measured by the change in peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) from baseline to 12 weeks.

EXercise and Activin Inhibition to Modulate InflammatioN Effects on Heart Failure and Cognition (EXAMINE-HFC)

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if therapy with activin ligand-trap biological therapy (an investigational drug) combined with exercise training can improve exercise capacity and cognitive function in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does activin-ligand trap biological therapy improve exercise capacity as measured by change in peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) from baseline to week 12? * Does activin-ligand trap biological therapy improve cognitive function as assessed by the NIH-Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) composite score and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) from baseline to week 12? Researchers will compare activin-ligand trap biological therapy to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see if activin-ligand trap therapy works to improve exercise capacity and cognitive function in patients with HFpEF.

Transitions of Care Clinic (TOCC)

The transition period from hospital to home is a time of heightened risk for patients to experience adverse events, medication errors, and readmission to the hospital. Patients at the highest risk include older adults and patients with low health literacy, socioeconomic disadvantages, and/or multiple comorbidities. This project proposes to expand the existing Transitions of Care Clinic (TOCC) which was recently introduced in our institution in 2024, to bridge the gap in care between hospital discharge to home and connect discharged patients to their outpatient providers with a focus on patients with heart failure (HF). The existing TOCC, a multidisciplinary team composed of a pharmacist and a nurse practitioner, seeks to improve the services that are currently being provided to patients and enhance the transitions of care process by providing patients with education, tools, and resources to help manage their chronic disease. With this study, we propose to expand TOCC by offering extensive education to patients via iPad videos and providing them with HF tool kits prior to their discharge. We will also assist with scheduling follow appointments with their outpatient providers and follow up with patients after the appointment takes place to re-evaluate their needs and reinforce self management of heart failure. By targeting patients being treated for acute exacerbation of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), this study aims to facilitate the transition of care, reduce hospital readmissions and improve patients' quality of life and satisfaction. Patients with HFpEF represent a majority of the HF patients that are readmitted at OUMC. HFpEF patients have fewer guideline recommended treatments and represent a vulnerable patient population. The HF tool kits will provide these patients with the essential tools, resources, and log sheets for self-management such as monitoring daily weights, monitoring blood pressure and heart rate. Patients provided with a kit will receive an initial phone call from TOCC within 1 to 3 days of discharge and a second phone call within 21-24-days post discharge.

Exercise Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance In Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

The purpose of this study is to internally validate low-field Ex-CMR as a noninvasive tool for diagnosing, phenotyping, and risk stratifying HFpEF in patients with exertional dyspnea.

Fast Induced Remodeling in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

FIRE-HFpEF is a multi-center, prospective, randomized, single-blinded, clinical feasibility study. This study will enroll up to 105 subjects with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the United States. Data will be collected to evaluate whether pacing therapies can lead to improvements in exercise capacity and health status of subjects.

Hospital Register of Decompensated Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Study Aim is creation of the Hospital Register of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) for a comprehensive assessment of the influence of gender characteristics, clinical and anamnestic factors, body composition, topical characteristics of congestion, instrumental data and markers of cellular inflammation and stress on immediate and long-term outcomes in patients with acute decompensated heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. During the study it is planned to assess gender, clinical and anamnestic indicators preceding hospitalization of patients in the hospital; characterize the features of comorbid status in the studied group of patient; study the features of drug therapy at the prehospital stage and during hospitalization in the study group of patient; assess adverse hospital outcomes and outcomes 6 months after hospital discharge and identify factors associated with them; assess body composition in patients with acute decompensated heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in obese patients upon admission to the hospital; characterize the severity and topical characteristics of congestion and compare with the phenotypes of acute decompensation of heart failure; asess adverse in-hospital outcomes and outcomes 6 months after hospital discharge and identify factors associated with them; conduct a clinical and instrumental examination of patients diagnosed with compensated and decompensated HFpEF, verified by echocardiography at rest, as well as in patients with HFpEF verified after an additional diastolic stress test with assessment of intracardiac hemodynamic; analyze the serum concentrations of biochemical markers associated with cellular stress in these groups of patients, as well as in the control group of apparently healthy people; conduct an analysis of associations of biomarker levels with clinical characteristics of patients, the presence of comorbid diseases, including obesity, as well as with data from instrumental examination methods; assess the diagnostic capabilities of HFpEF, defined by various criteria, based on the concentration of the new biomarkers The results obtained will allow us to evaluate the characteristics of the course and outcomes of the disease in Moscow patients, depending on the phenotype of acute decompensation of HFpEF, hospitalized in the hospital during the study period. It is expected to identify phenotypes of acute decompensation of HFpEF that affect the duration of hospitalization and the development of adverse outcomes in the hospital and long-term period of the disease.

Assessment of CCM in HF With Higher Ejection Fraction

The AIM HIGHer Clinical Trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) therapy in patients with heart failure with LVEF ≥40% and ≤70%.

Pulmonary Artery Denervation for Heart Failure With Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

To assess the impact of PADN combined with guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) versus a sham procedure with GDMT on clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF\>40%). Outcomes include cardiovascular death, HF-related rehospitalization, requirement for heart transplantation or need of valvular treatment or LVAD or pacemaker implantation, and worsening in outpatients (defined as requirement for intravenous therapy or diuretic intensification, including increasing the types or dose of diuretics).

Metformin for Older Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Met-PEF will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine the effects of 20 weeks of 1500 mg/day of metformin on physical function, quality of life (QOL), microbiome diversity, leaky gut, and systemic inflammation in patients with 86 older patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Enavogliflozin Outcome Trial in Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation

The Enavogliflozin Outcome Trial in Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation (EVENT) was designed to examine the hypothesis that, compared with placebo, therapy with the SGLT2 inhibitor enavogliflozin would improve clinical and echocardiographic outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The primary objective of the EVENT study is to test the hypothesis that, compared with placebo, therapy with enavogliflozin for 18 months would improve a composite of cardiovascular events or worsening of TR on follow-up echocardiography in HF patients with functional TR and preserved LVEF. The secondary objective is to examine whether enavogliflozin is effective in reduction of renal events and tricuspid regurgitation, and to evaluate whether beneficial effects of enavogliflozin on primary outcomes are associated with reduction of all-cause mortality.

Sacubitril-Valsartan in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction and Secondary Mitral Valve Regurgitation

The main objective of this study is to assess the hemodynamic effects of sacubitril-valsartan in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and at least moderate atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR), using a combination of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and stress echocardiography (referred to as CPETecho) at baseline and after six months of therapy. The patients included in this study will be randomly assigned to receive sacubitril-valsartan as an adjunct to standard medical care, as opposed to adhering solely to the standard of care which involves sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA).

SHort Of Pace - Heart Failure (SHOP-HF)

This study is designed as a multicenter, prospective, controlled, randomized, two-arms, cross-over, two parallel cohorts, efficacy Clinical research with CE-marked medical device . The crossover trial will be performed in a blind fashion, so each participant will be evaluated during both blinded pacing-on and pacing-off phases, each of which will last 3 months. The population includes patients with the diagnosis of stable HFpEF according to criteria of the European Society of Cardiology and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II-III/IV, left ventricular hypertrophy with small ventricular volume, sinus rhythm with low basal heart rate and chronotropic incompetence (CI). All patients will undergo pacemaker implantation, and computer-generated randomization sequence previously designed will be used to allocate participants (in a 1:1 ratio) to receive: (a) programming of the pacemaker with pacing On followed by pacing Off in two periods of 3 months; or (b) programming of the pacemaker with pacing Off followed by pacing On in two periods of 3 months. The study will be conducted in three centers in Spain. Discounting the time due to staggered entry, the total duration of a patient's follow-up will be 7 months.