Clinical Research Directory

Evaluation of the Clinical Value of NT-proBNP (or BNP) Measurement, Alone or in Combination With the EPOF Questionnaire, for the Screening of Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) in Adults Aged 40 Years and Older Referred for a Cardiology Consultation Without Suspected CHF.

This observational study aims to evaluate whether measuring NT-proBNP (or BNP), either on its own or alongside the EPOF questionnaire, can improve the early detection of chronic heart failure (CHF) in adults aged 40 years or over who are referred for an outpatient cardiology evaluation and have no known or suspected CHF. The study will address the following questions: Does systematic NT-proBNP (or BNP) testing help to identify previously unrecognised CHF? Does combining NT-proBNP (or BNP) with the EPOF questionnaire enhance diagnostic accuracy compared with using each tool alone? Participants will attend their routine cardiology consultation, complete the EPOF questionnaire and undergo NT-proBNP (or BNP) testing as part of the clinical assessment. They will also allow the collection of relevant medical data. The diagnostic performance of these tools will then be compared with the final diagnosis made by the outpatient cardiologist. The study focuses on a population referred from primary care with increased cardiovascular risk. The early use of simple, accessible tools could reduce diagnostic delays, improve referral appropriateness and facilitate the earlier detection of CHF in general practice.

Cardiovascular Risk in Peripheral Artery Disease Patients Undergoing Endovascular Revascularisation

This study will investigate heart-related complications in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing endovascular revascularization procedures to improve blood flow in the legs. Previous studies have shown that some patients develop silent heart injury after these procedures, even without symptoms, and that this may be associated with worse long-term outcomes. Approximately 500 patients will be included in the study. Blood tests for cardiac biomarkers, including high-sensitivity troponin and NT-proBNP, will be performed before and after the procedure. Participants will also undergo ultrasound examination of the heart to assess heart function, including advanced measures that may detect early or subtle heart damage. In addition, heart rate variability will be measured using a short electrocardiogram recording. Patients will be followed for 30 days and 1 year after the procedure to assess the occurrence of major cardiovascular events, limb-related complications, and death. Additional blood samples will be collected and stored for future analysis of inflammation, oxidative stress, and genetic markers that may help explain the mechanisms associated with heart injury and prognosis in these patients.