Clinical Research Directory

Safety and Efficacy of FAP iCDC in Ischemia Cardiomyopathy

To study the safety and efficacy of fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-targeted autologus immunosuppressive chimeric antigen receptor-dendritic cell (CAR-DC) in the treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy, aiming to provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the disease.

Venous Ethanol for Ventricular Tachycardia

Comparative effectiveness randomized clinical trial, comparing endocardial radiofrequency ablation alone vs radiofrequency ablation combined with venous ethanol in patients with ischemic ventricular tachycardia -Venous Ethanol for Left Ventricular Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia -VELVET clinical trial

18F-mFBG Imaging for Myocardial Sympathetic Innervation

This is a Phase 2 study evaluating the positron-emitting radiopharmaceutical 18F-mFBG as an imaging agent for quantification of myocardial sympathetic innervation. The study will examine a group of stable patients with heart failure (HF) from ischemic cardiomyopathy. All subjects will have left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35% and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). The primary objectives of the study will be to: * document the degree to which 18F-mFBG uptake in the heart is reduced (compared to historical controls) * characterize the distribution of regional abnormalities in relation to findings on rest/stress positron-emission tomography (PET) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) * determine if there are global and/or regional differences in myocardial sympathetic innervation between subjects who have and have not experienced an appropriate ICD activation within the previous 12 months Effectiveness of 18F-mFBG will be judged in relation to historical experience with other nuclear imaging agents for cardiac sympathetic innervation imaging such as a 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) and 11C-hydroxyephedrine (HED). Safety data will be collected to identify adverse events \[AEs\] and serious adverse events \[SAEs\] and characterize the safety profile of 18F-mFBG.

Prediction of ARrhythmic Events With Positron Emission Tomography II

Sudden cardiac death continues to be a major contributor to mortality in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. While implantable defibrillators can prevent death from ventricular arrhythmias, our current approach to identify patients at highest risk primarily rests on demonstrating a reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction less than 35%. The purpose of this observational cohort study is to prospectively test whether this can be enhanced by quantifying the amount of sympathetic denervation, left ventricular end-diastolic volume or brain natriuretic peptide levels.

PET Myocardial Fatty-acid Metabolic Imaging With XTR003 Injection and 18F-FDG to Assess Myocardial Viability in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-controlled Phase IIb study to investigate the diagnostic-prognostic utility of XTR003 Injection integrated with 18F-FDG as an exploratory clinical trial. A total of 40-60 patients will be enrolled and randomized into two study groups as: fasting XTR003/18F-FDG group and glucose-loaded group at a 1:1 ratio. Each group will receive resting myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) combined with metabolic PET imaging to evaluate myocardial metabolic activity and myocardial viability. Segmental perfusion abnormality, metabolic activity and myocardial viability will be analyzed according to the standard approaches in Nuclear Cardiology. Regional and global left ventricular function will be assessed with cardiac MRI and echocardiography prior to and post the completion of full revascularization within 6-month time point. A repeated resting MPI will also be performed to assess the improvement of perfusion abnormality. All study subjects will undergo 6 months follow-up for major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Left Ventricular Structural Predictors of Sudden Cardiac Death

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) poses a significant health care challenge with high annual incidence and low survival rates. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) prevent SCD in patients with poor heart function. However, the critical survival benefit afforded by the devices is accompanied by short and long-term complications and a high economic burden. Moreover, in using current practice guidelines of reduced heart function, specifically left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)≤35%, as the main determining factor for patient selection, only a minority of patients actually benefit from ICD therapy (\<25% in 5 years). There is an essential need for more robust diagnostic approaches to SCD risk stratification. This project examines the hypothesis that structural abnormalities of the heart itself, above and beyond global LV dysfunction, are important predictors of SCD risk since they indicate the presence of the abnormal tissue substrate required for the abnormal electrical circuits and heart rhythms that actually lead to SCD. Information about the heart's structure will be obtained from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and used in combination with a number of other clinical risk factors to see if certain characteristics can better predict patients at risk for SCD.

Cardiac RadiothErapy For hEart faiLure

Preliminary data suggests that patients suffering from advanced refractory heart failure (HF) could benefit from single low dose whole heart external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Objective: To explore in our center the efficacy of administering a EBRT treatment of 5Gy to the whole heart in patients with advanced and refractory HF. The hypothesis is that 5Gy EBRT to the whole heart can improve the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of these patients by a clinically relevant 5%. Main study endpoints: The primary aim is to explore the efficacy of EBRT treatment for advanced refractory HF. Secondary endpoints include an assessment of safety, overall survival, hospital admissions, late toxicity, quality of life and the effect of the treatment on other heart function indicators (left ventricular volumes, NT-proBNP, Troponine, High sensitive CRP).

Phenotypic Classification of FMR With CMR

The goal of the current research is to develop personalized risk prediction for functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) patients through explainable unsupervised phenomapping enriched with advanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging biomarkers, and to determine the CMR predictors of reverse remodeling following modern therapies for FMR. The prospective study entails aiming to recruit 360 adult patients (ages \>18 years) with EF 10-50% and FMR RF\> 20%, who are clinically referred for CMR evaluation. Patients who enroll in our study will be referred for optimization of mGDMT and will undergo follow-up CMR studies at 6months. NICM patients who are fully medically optimized with significant FMR at the time of the baseline CMR and are referred for Mitraclip treatment will undergo follow-up CMR 6 months from Mitraclip intervention. NICM patients referred for mGDMT optimization, but have persistent or progressive FMR at the time of 6 month follow-up CMR and referred for Mitraclip therapy, will undergo a 2nd follow-up CMR 6 months from Mitraclip therapy.

Ablation-Index Guided Scar-Mediated Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Over the last decade, radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has become an established treatment for ventricular arrhythmias (VA). Due to the challenging nature of visualizing lesion formation in real time and ensuring an effective transmural lesion, different surrogate measures of lesion quality have been used. The Ablation Index (AI) is a variable incorporating power delivery in its formula and combining it with CF and time in a weighted equation which aims at allowing for a more precise estimation of lesion depth and quality when ablating VAs. AI guidance has previously been shown to improve outcomes in atrial and ventricular ablation in patients with premature ventricular complexes (PVC). However research on outcomes following AI-guidance for VT ablation specifically in patients with structural disease and prior myocardial infarction remains sparse. The investigators aim at conducting the first randomized controlled trial testing for the superiority of an AI-guided approach regarding procedural duration.

Conventional Biventricular Versus Left Bundle Branch Pacing on Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients

Heart failure (HF) is the most common nosology encountered in clinical practice. Its incidence and prevalence increase exponentially with increasing age and it is associated with increased mortality, more frequent hospitalization and decreased quality of life. An initial approach to the treatment of HF patients with reduced left ventricular (LV) systolic function and left bundle branch block (LBBB) was implantation of cardioresynchronization device using biventricular pacing. This has resulted in long-term clinical benefits such as improved quality of life, increased functional capacity, reduced HF hospitalizations and overall mortality. However, conventional cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is effective in only 70% of patients. And the remaining 30% of patients are non-responders to conventional CRT. Subsequently, His bundle pacing (HBP) has been developed to achieve the same results. According to other studies HBP has showed greater improvement in hemodynamic parameters than with conventional biventricular CRT. But, nevertheless, there are significant clinical troubles with HBP. In this regard, in 2017, the left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) was developed, which demonstrated clinical advantages compared to biventricular CRT. This method has become an alternative to HBP due to the stimulation of LBB outside the blocking site, a stable pacing threshold and a narrow QRS duration. A series of case reports and observational studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of LBBP in patients with CRT indications. However, it is not enough data about CRT with LBBP effectiveness in LV remodeling, reducing mortality and complications. According to our hypothesis, CRT with LBBP compared with conventional biventricular CRT will significantly improve the clinical outcomes and reverse LV remodeling in patients with chronic HF with reduced LV ejection fraction and reduce the number of non-responders to conventional CRT.

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.

Endo-epicardial vs Endocardial-only Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy (EPIC-VT)

Radiofrequency ablation of ventricular tachycardias (VTs) is the gold standard treatment of refractory VTs in patients with ischaemic heart disease. In this setting, ablation is usually performed endocardially. However, even after a procedural success there is a high risk of recurrence, particularly due to the inability to create transmural lesions. Indeed, only the endocardium of the LV has been ablated, while a significant part of the arrhythmia substrate may be located on the other side of the myocardial thickness, on the epicardial side of the LV. First described in 1996, epicardial ablation, performed via a percutaneous subxyphoid approach, has since undergone considerable development. Electrophysiologists often use a double endo- and epicardial approach as first line therapy for the ablation of VTs complicating myocarditis or arrhythmogenic dysplasia of the right ventricle, where the substrate is most often epicardial. For VT in ischaemic heart disease, electrophysiologists perform endocardial ablation, and often perform epicardial ablation only after several endocardial failures. Several observational studies suggest that a combined endo- and epicardial approach as first line therapy is associated with a reduced risk of VT recurrence. Since recurrent VT in patients with ischaemic heart disease as a prognostic impact in terms of morbidity and mortality, it appears essential to optimise rhythm management by ablation, by offering a combined approach from the as first approach to reduce the risk of recurrences. The aim of our prospective, multicentre, controlled, randomized study is therefore to compare the rate of VT recurrence after ablation performed as first line therapy either by endocardial approach alone or by combined endo-epicardial approach.

RestoratIon of Myocardial Function by PeRcutaneous cOronary interVEntion in Patients With Ischemic CardioMyoPathy

To compare the effects of physiology- and imaging-guided PCI combined with optimal medical therapy (OMT) versus OMT alone on the recovery of left ventricular systolic function in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and multivessel coronary artery disease.

Revascularization Versus Medical Treatment in Patients With Ischemic Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Randomized trial to compare clinical outcomes between revascularization versus medical treatment alone in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction.

Impella Supported OPCABG

The present study introduces a novel approach to coronary revascularization through the use of a short term minimally-invasive left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to minimize myocardial injury and eliminate low output state during the perioperative period

AI-enabled Screening and Diagnosis of Cardiomyopathies Using Coronary CTA

The goal of this observational and diagnostic study is to develop and validate an artificial intelligence assisted approach for coronary computer tomography angiography-(CCTA)-based screening and diagnosis of cardiomyopathies in patients with suspected coronary artery diseases. This study aims to develop a computerized CCTA interpretation using artificial intelligence for multi-label classification task to assist cardiomyopathy diagnosis in the clinical workflow.

Left Bundle Branch Pacing on Outcomes and Ventricular Remodeling in Biventricular CRT Nonresponders

Heart failure (HF) is the most common nosology encountered in clinical practice. Its incidence and prevalence increase exponentially with increasing age and it is associated with the increased mortality, more frequent hospitalization and decreased quality of life. An initial approach to the treatment of HF patients with reduced left ventricular (LV) systolic function and left bundle branch block (LBBB) was implantation of device for cardiac resynchronization therapy using biventricular pacing. This has resulted in long-term clinical benefits such as improved quality of life, increased functional capacity, reduced HF hospitalizations and overall mortality. However, conventional cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is effective in only 70% of patients. And the remaining 30% of patients are non-responders to conventional CRT. Cardiac conduction system pacing is currently a promising technique for these patients. Particularly, His bundle pacing (HBP) has been developed to achieve the same results. According to other studies HBP has shown greater improvement in hemodynamic parameters comparing with conventional biventricular CRT. But, nevertheless, there are significant clinical troubles with HBP, especially high pacing threshold. In this regard, in 2017, the left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) was developed, which demonstrated clinical advantages compared to conventional biventricular CRT. Also, since 2019, left bundle branch pacing-optimized CRT (LBBPO CRT) has been used in clinical practice. These methods have become an alternative to HBP due to the stimulation of LBB outside the blocking site, a stable pacing threshold and a narrow QRS complex duration on electrocardiogram. A series of case reports and observational studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of LBBP and LBBPO CRT in patients with CRT indications. However, it is not enough data about impact of CRT with LBBP and combined CRT with LBBP and LV pacing on myocardial remodeling, reducing mortality and complications. According to our hypothesis, CRT with LBBP and combined CRT with LBBP and LV pacing compared with conventional biventricular pacing will significantly improve the clinical outcomes and reverse myocardial remodeling in patients who are non-responders to biventricular CRT with HF, reduced LV ejection fraction and with indications to CRT devices with defibrillator function (CRT-D) or one of the CRT-D leads replacement.

Atrial Appendage Micrograft Transplants to Assist Heart Repair After Cardiac Surgery

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) leads the global mortality statistics. Atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries hallmark IHD, drive hypoxia, and may rupture to result in myocardial infarction (MI) and death of contractile cardiac muscle, which is eventually replaced by a scar. Depending on the extent of the damage, dysbalanced cardiac workload often leads to emergence of heart failure (HF). The atrial appendages, enriched with active endocrine and paracrine cardiac cells, has been characterized to contain cells promising in stimulating cardiac regenerative healing. In this AAMS2 randomized controlled and double-blinded trial, the patient's own tissue from the right atrial appendage (RAA) is for therapy. A piece from the RAA can be safely harvested upon the set-up of the heart and lung machine at the beginning of coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery. In the AAMS2 trial, a piece of the RAA tissue is processed and utilized as epicardially transplanted atrial appendage micrografts (AAMs) for CABG-support therapy. In our preclinical evaluation, epicardial AAMs transplantation after MI attenuated scarring and improved cardiac function. Proteomics suggested an AAMs-induced glycolytic metabolism, a process associated with an increased regenerative capacity of myocardium. Recently, the safety and feasibility of AAMs therapy was demonstrated in an open-label clinical study. Moreover, as this study suggested increased thickness of the viable myocardium in the scarred area, it also provided the first indication of therapeutic benefit. Based on randomization with estimated enrolment of a total of 50 patients with 1:1 group allocation ratio, the piece of RAA tissue is either perioperatively processed to AAMs or cryostored. The AAMs, embedded in a fibrin matrix gel, are placed on a collaged-based matrix sheet, which is then epicardially sutured in place at the end of CABG surgery. The location is determined by preoperative late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-CMRI) to pinpoint the ischemic scar. The controls receive the collagen-based patch, but without the AAMs. Study blood samples, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and LGE-CMRI are performed before and at 6-month follow-up after the surgery. The trial's primary endpoints focus on changes in cardiac fibrosis as evaluated by LGE-CMRI and circulating levels of N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Secondary endpoints center on other efficacy parameters, as well as both safety and feasibility of the therapy.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD Registry)

The ICD Registry™ is a nationwide quality program that helps participating hospitals measure and improve care for patients receiving implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices with defibrillator (CRT-Ds). The ICD Registry captures the characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of patients receiving (ICDs). Patient-level data is submitted by participating hospitals on a quarterly basis to the American College of Cardiology Foundation's (ACCF) National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) which then produces an Outcomes Report of the hospital's data, with comparison to both a volume peer group (number of ICD patients submitted annually) and the entire ICD registry data set.

Repeated Endocardial Mapping for Efficacy Assessment After Catheter Ablation for Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia

Patients with ischemic ventricular tachycardia (VT) are frequently treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation. The efficacy of catheter ablation is limited for various reasons; one of those being incomplete myocardial and inhomogenous scar tissue damage due to suboptimal ablation lesions. The aim of our study is to reassess initially ablated endocardial areas in a repeated mapping procedure. Initial lesion parameters will be studied in areas with conduction recovery at repeated mapping procedure. Also, VT inducibility will be correlated to the extent and characteristics of areas with recovered conduction.