Clinical Research Directory

PCI With GDMT Versus GDMT Alone for Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Reduced LVEF

To evaluate whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with contemporary drug-eluting stents (DES) combined with guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), compared to GDMT alone, reduces the time to first occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during a median follow-up of at least 24 months, measured at the time the last enrolled patient reaches 12 months, in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40%. MACE is a composite of cardiovascular \[CV\] death, myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF) related rehospitalization, heart transplantation, requirement for durable left ventricular assist device \[LVAD\] implantation, or worsening heart failure treated as an out-patient requiring treatment with intravenous medications.

STRATegy SUccesS in High-Risk PCI With Impella CP: Evaluation of Hemodynamic Protection in Complex PCI

STRATUS-PCI is a pilot clinical trial that compares two ways of running a small heart pump called Impella CP during a high-risk procedure to open blocked heart arteries (percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI) in patients with weakened heart muscle. The pump is placed temporarily through an artery in the leg and sits across the aortic valve to help maintain blood flow during the procedure. Fifty patients will be randomly assigned in equal numbers to one of two pump settings: an automatic mode that adjusts flow up to higher levels as needed, or a fixed lower-flow mode (P-2). The doctor performing the heart procedure will not know which setting is being used (double-blind). A separate doctor monitors blood pressure and is allowed to change the pump setting at any time if the patient becomes unstable. The main question is whether the automatic mode helps doctors complete the planned heart procedure more successfully and without drops in blood pressure or other complications. Results will help design a larger future trial.

An Early Feasibility Study Evaluation of an Implant Free Interatrial Shunt to Improve Heart Failure

The purpose of this early feasibility study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the device for percutaneous shunting of the interatrial septum and improvement of heart failure related symptoms. The primary goal is to determine if the device is safe to use. The findings from this study may be used to refine the intended patient population, the design of the device, or develop a subsequent randomized study.

Assessment of Combined CCM and ICD Device in HFrEF

The goal of this clinical trial is to demonstrate that the OPTIMIZER® Integra CCM-D System (the "CCM-D System") can safely and effective convert induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) and spontaneous ventricular tachycardia and/or ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) episodes in subjects with Stage C or D heart failure who remain symptomatic despite being on guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), are not indicated for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), and have heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤40%). Eligible subjects will be implanted with the CCM-D System. A subset of subjects will be induced into ventricular fibrillation "on the table" in the implant procedure room. During the follow-up period, inappropriate shock rate and device-related complications will be evaluated. The follow-up period is expected to last at least two years.

High Fat Diet for Cardiac Metabolic Reprogramming

Heart failure (HF) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, despite advances in treatment. HF is often characterized by an altered metabolism in the heart, where glucose is favored over fatty acids as the primary energy substrate. This metabolic shift has been hypothesized to contribute to disease progression. Previous studies using animal models have demonstrated that restoring fatty acid metabolism through dietary intervention can reverse the adverse metabolic effects and improve heart function. A transgenic murine model with mitochondrial defects, for instance, exhibited improved cardiac function after an HFD intervention. These findings were reinforced by a translational pig model of non-ischemic DCM, where a high-fat diet significantly improved LVEF compared to a standard diet. Building upon these promising preclinical results, a small-scale human study showed that lipid infusion, rather than glucose, improved cardiac function in HF patients. However, the long-term benefits of a HFD in heart failure patients have yet to be thoroughly explored. The HF4HF trial aims to fill this gap by evaluating the effects of an HFD over a two-month period in patients with non-ischemic DCM and reduced LVEF. The "High Fat Diet for Heart Failure" (HF4HF) study is a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the efficacy of a high-fat diet (HFD) as a therapeutic intervention in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The study hypothesizes that cardiac metabolic reprogramming, achieved through a controlled nutritional intervention involving an HFD, can enhance systolic function, myocardial energetics, and overall heart function in heart failure (HF) patients. Cofunded by the European Commission and national entities, the trial is spearheaded by a consortium of cardiovascular research centers across four countries: Spain, Italy, France, and Romania.

Study of JK07 in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

This is a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple dose study to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of JK07 in participants aged 18-85 with heart failure. There will be 2 cohorts in this study: Cohort 1: Heart failure (HF) participants with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤ 40%. Cohort 2: Heart failure (HF) participants with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \> 40% and ≤ 65%.

Emulation of the EMPEROR-Reduced Trial Using Healthcare Claims Data

Investigators are building an empirical evidence base for real world data through large-scale emulation of randomized controlled trials. The investigators' goal is to understand for what types of clinical questions real world data analyses can be conducted with confidence and how to implement such studies.

Dietary Intervention and Physical Activity in Patients With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is frequently associated with abnormalities in body composition, including reduced skeletal muscle mass and sarcopenia, which are independent predictors of reduced exercise tolerance, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality. Despite advances in pharmacological therapy, evidence-based non-pharmacological strategies aimed at preventing muscle mass loss remain limited. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of dietary intervention based on the DASH diet with high-protein elements, resistance exercise training, and their combination on skeletal muscle mass, functional capacity, echocardiographic parameters, biochemical markers, and quality of life in patients with HFrEF.

HFrEF Polypill in Sri Lanka RCT

Primary Outcome: Composite of cardiovascular death or recurrent heart failure hospitalization over study duration Secondary Outcomes: Cardiovascular death over study duration Recurrent heart failure hospitalizations over study duration All-cause mortality over study duration Change in left ventricular ejection fraction from baseline to 12 months by echocardiogram. Change in natriuretic peptide levels from baseline to 12 months. Change in health-related quality of life from baseline to 12 months using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Change in New York Heart Association functional class from baseline to 12 months. Adherence to heart failure medications assessed by pill count and questionnaire, medication persistence assessed as continuation of assigned therapy after initiation, and dose optimization assessed as proportion achieving final/target doses over study duration Safety Outcomes: Proportion of participants with serious adverse events or sudden unexpected serious adverse reaction over study duration Proportion with adverse events of special interest (symptomatic hypotension, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe hypoglycemia, lower limb amputation, hyperkalemia, or worsening kidney function) over study duration Proportion of participants who stop study drug because of adverse events over study duration Change in serum potassium over study duration Change in serum creatinine over study duration Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups, intervention or usual care. The intervention group will be given four guideline-recommended medications for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, combined in one over-encapsulated pill, with three dose strength options (at the discretion of their treating physician). Both groups will be observed over a minimum of 12-months of follow-up to assess their medication adherence, clinical symptoms, laboratory measures, health related quality of life, and need for medication adjustment amongst other measures.

Comparative Effectiveness of Prophylactic ICD Versus Non-ICD Therapy

The investigators aim to compare the risk of mortality of Non-implantable carioverter defibrillator (ICD) vs. ICD management in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Study With Omecamtiv Mecarbil (CK-1827452) to Treat Chronic Heart Failure With Severely Reduced Ejection Fraction

The purpose of this study is to find out if the investigational drug called omecamtiv mecarbil can reduce the risk of the effects of heart failure, like hospitalization, transplantation, or death in patients with heart failure and severely reduced ejection fraction.

Ketones in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of a ketone drink on exercise capacity and other cardiovascular parameters in patients with heart failure. In heart failure, patients are limited in their ability to do all the things they want to do, and exercise as much as they would like, due to becoming tired and short of breath early. There may be several reasons why these symptoms occur. This study is assessing whether the ketone drink can improve these symptoms. This drink has been given status by Food and Drug Administration as "generally regarded as safe". The use of DeltaG in this study is experimental. DeltaG has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use being evaluated in this study.

Pilot Study Lp299v Supplementation in Chronic Heart Failure

The goal of this study is to determine the impact of 12 weeks of Lp299v supplementation (20 million cfu/day vs. placebo) on exercise capacity, circulating biomarkers of cardiac remodeling, quality of life, and vascular endothelial function in humans with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) who have evidence of residual inflammation based on an elevated C-reactive protein level. This will be done in the setting of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Midodrine in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction With Hypotension

The evidence-based pharmacologic treatments available for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has been established over the last few decades of cardiovascular research. These treatments, termed Foundational Guideline-Directed-Medical Therapies (GDMT), prolong patient life, improve patient-reported symptoms, and reduce hospitalizations for heart failure. A direct effect of most medication classes encompassed within GDMT is the reduction in blood pressure due to their mechanisms of action. In addition, as patients with HFrEF become more advanced in their disease, a significant proportion develop hypotension related to pump failure and autonomic dysfunction, amongst other possible mechanisms. As a result, a significant proportion of HFrEF patients are not optimized on GDMT with hypotension as their limiting barrier that would otherwise have served to improve their heart function, heart failure symptoms, and mortality. Currently, there does not exist any evidence-based strategies to address the problem of hypotension in HFrEF patients who are not optimized on GDMT. Midodrine is an alpha-adrenergic agonist (α1-AR) that exerts its effects on peripheral venous and arteriolar vasculature to increase blood pressure. This medication has been used off-label by some clinicians in the hypotensive HFrEF population to increase blood pressure and has been reported to have beneficial effects in improving GDMT utilization as well as increasing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in published case reports/case series. There does not exist any randomized prospective data on the use of midodrine in the hypotensive HFrEF population. The investigators' objective is to complete the first open-label, randomized control trial of midodrine in the hypotensive HFrEF population to demonstrate feasibility in performing a trial in this patient population and to show efficacy in increasing blood pressure without associated harm. The results of this trial will be used as the foundation and rationale for future studies assessing the impact of midodrine use on GDMT utilization as well as hard cardiovascular outcomes in the hypotensive HFrEF population, including hospitalizations for heart failure and mortality.

Digital Remote Management Versus Usual Care for Optimization of Guideline-directed Medical Therapy in Patients With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction: a Multicentre, Randomised, Controlled Trial (DigiCare-HFrEF)

DigiCare-HFrEF is an investigator-initiated, multicentre, randomised, open-label, endpoint-blinded, superiority trial designed to evaluate whether a structured digital remote-management platform can optimise guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) after hospital discharge. Eligible adults (≥18 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of HFrEF within the past 3 months (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%) who are not optimally treated with GDMT-defined as at least two of the four foundational drug classes (ACEi/ARB or ARNi, β-blocker, MRA, SGLT2 inhibitor) either not initiated or prescribed at \<50% of the target dose-will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to digital remote management or usual care. In the intervention arm, patients will report symptoms and key physiologic measures (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, and body weight) via the platform; an algorithm will perform risk stratification and generate GDMT optimisation suggestions and decongestion prompts, as well as a comprehensive management for core health metrics, which are reviewed and confirmed by clinicians before implementation. The primary endpoint is the change in GDMT score from baseline to 3 months (ΔGDMT).

Administration of the SGLT-2 Inhibitor Dapagliflozin in the Patients With Amyloid Cardiomyopathy

Efficacy and safety of early administration of the SGLT-2 inhibitor dapagliflozin will be evaluated in patients with HF, regardless of LVEF, due to amyloid cardiomyopathy.

A Safety and Tolerability Study of HJB647 in Heart Failure Participants With Reduced Ejection Fraction

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of HJB647 at two different doses in participants with chronic stable heart failure with reduced or mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF/HFmrEF).

Mechanistic Clinical Trial Comparing the Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics of Metoprolol in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction Patients With Low vs. High Polygenic Score

The purpose of this trial is to better understand how the beta-blocker metoprolol works in people with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) according to participants genetics. Participants will have the beta-blocker (BB) polygenic score calculated from genotype data. The score will be used to stratify the patients in the low and high polygenic score groups in the study. The hypotheses for this trial are: * HFrEF patients with high polygenic score will have weaker cardiovascular responses to metoprolol succinate than HFrEF patients with low polygenic score. * HFrEF patients with high polygenic score have lower steady-state plasma concentrations of metoprolol succinate than HFrEF patients with low polygenic score. * HFrEF patients with high polygenic score require higher metoprolol succinate plasma concentrations to achieve similar cardiovascular effects as those with low polygenic score.

Synchronized Diaphragmatic Stimulation in Symptomatic Heart Failure

RECOVER HF is a clinical study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Synchronized Diaphragmatic Stimulation delivered using the VisONE System in the treatment of patients with heart failure.

A Real-world Study of Clinical Treatment Guidelines for Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction Treated With Sacubitril/Valsartan

The aim of this study is to describe the real-world clinical profile, treatment patterns, and guideline alignment of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) treated with sacubitril/valsartan in routine clinical practice in Romania. The study uses secondary use of data, with all analyses conducted on anonymized, pre-existing data collected for routine clinical and administrative purposes.

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.

Digital Support Program for Patients With Heart Failure - a Cluster-Randomized Hybrid Type 2 Study

The overall aim of this project is to evaluate the effects of a digital support program for patients with heart failure through a cluster-randomized controlled trial, and to investigate the outcomes of different implementation strategies using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance), PRISM (Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model) and ERIC (Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change) framework. Our primary hypothesis is that the digital support program will improve patients' perceived control over their heart failure, measured with the validated Control Attitude Scale. Secondary hypotheses are that the program will increase patients' health-related quality of life, self-care behaviors, heart failure knowledge, perceived continuity of care, and participation in care, and reduce symptoms of depression. Implementation aim (based on the RE-AIM, PRISM and ERIC frameworks) The implementation component of the study aims to compare two different implementation strategies: a standard (basic) support package versus a tailored, context-specific support strategy. Heart failure clinics at hospitals an within primary care will be matched and randomized into two arms. The intervention arm will receive tailored implementation support to implement the support program. The control arm will recive implementation support according to a predefined standard procedure. Researchers will compare the intervention arm with control arm to see if there are any differences regarding the implementationsuccess between the arms. The patients in both arms will have access to the support program during six months.

Withdrawal of Treatment for Heart Failure Patients With Recovery From Tachycardia-induced Cardiomyopathy

New onset heart failure (HF) is observed in up to 25% of patients with incident atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF). Current guidelines suggest that both conditions (AF \& HF) be addressed with guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) for HF and rate or rhythm control of AF. Hence, patients with both conditions are subjected to extensive polypharmacy with possible prognostic benefits, but also possible side effects, such as decreased renal function, dizziness, tiredness and hypotension, as well as the financial burden on both the individual patients and society, in addition to the stigma of having a HF diagnosis. Guidelines do not inform how to manage long-term patients with HF, who following control of the incident tachycardia (e.g. AF), show full recovery from their HF condition. This investigator-initiated, open-label, randomized, non-inferiority trial will test whether incremental weaning of GDMT in patients following full cardiac recovery and AF control is non-inferior compared to continuous GDMT with respect to the primary endpoint of freedom from heart failure deterioration. Furthermore, this study seeks to extensively phenotype these patients (genetic testing, advanced imaging, biomarkers etc.) in order to establish whether certain phenotypes are at lesser or greater risk of deterioration once remission is established. This novel approach of a personalized treatment regimen depending on e.g. genetic profiling could lead to an aggressive treatment in patients at high risk of deterioration and conversely spare patients with a negligible risk, a life-long intensive treatment regimen. All HF clinics located in Zealand, Denmark, with a catchment area of \>2 million citizens, have agreed to participate in the WEAN-HF trial. A total of 348 patients will be randomized. Patients are followed up the 1st year after randomization with clinical examination, biomarkers and echocardiography, and are subsequently followed via Danish nationwide registries for 10 years.