Heart Failure Clinical Trials

The TEAM-MGH study will formerly evaluate impact of the GDMT Clinic versus matched usual care patients on the proportion of GDMT administration over a 12 week period in approximately 300 total patients with HF across the spectrum of LVEF (with a minimum of 150 with HFrEF). The study will also assess impact of the GDMT Clinic on health status, functional capacity, biomarker profiles, cardiac remodeling and cardiovascular events. Read Less

Many control mechanisms exist which successfully match the supply of blood with the metabolic demand of various tissues under wide-ranging conditions. One primary regulator of vasomotion and thus perfusion to the muscle tissue is the host of chemical factors originating from the vascular endothelium and the muscle tissue, which collectively sets the level of vascular tone. With advancing age and in many disease states, deleterious adaptations in the production and sensitivity of these vasodilator and vasoconstrictor substances may be observed, leading to a reduction in skeletal muscle blood flow and compromised perfusion to the muscle tissue. Adequate perfusion is particularly important during exercise to meet the increased metabolic demand of the exercising tissue, and thus any condition that reduces tissue perfusion may limit the capacity for physical activity. As it is now well established that regular physical activity is a key component in maintaining cardiovascular health with advancing age, there is a clear need for further studies in populations where vascular dysfunction is compromised, with the goal of identifying the mechanisms responsible for the dysfunction and exploring whether these maladaptations may be remediable. Thus, to better understand the etiology of these vascular adaptations in health and disease, the current proposal is designed to study changes in vascular function with advancing age, and also examine peripheral vascular changes in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Sepsis, Pulmonary Hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. While there are clearly a host of vasoactive substances which collectively act to govern vasoconstriction both at rest and during exercise, four specific pathways that may be implicated have been identified in these populations: Angiotensin-II (ANG-II), Endothelin-1 (ET-1), Nitric Oxide (NO), and oxidative stress. Read Less

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. Read Less

The overarching goal of this research proposal is to study the feasibility and clinical impact of implementing an Inova system-wide heart failure treatment algorithm for patients with symptomatic heart failure due to reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFreF) and secondary MR Aim is to check the effectiveness of the IHFTA in identifying patients who are most likely to benefit from percutaneous transcatheter Mitraclip repair in real world Read Less

Overall Research Strategy of this protocol is to refine and validate noninvasive CMR imaging sequences with invasive hemodynamic and pathology results to create a comprehensive, noninvasive, radiation-reduced regimen for pediatric cardiomyopathy and cardiac transplant assessment. We were the first to perform MR-guided cardiac catheterization in US children, and have accumulated the largest US experience, having performed over 75 procedures to date. Our unique experience puts us in strong position to leverage this technology to improve care of children with cardiomyopathy and transplant. Using an integrated approach, we will simultaneously (1) validate imaging measures of cardiac edema and fibrosis by correlating T1 and T2 map images with endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) results in Aim 1; (2) overlay T1, T2 map images into our x-ray system to display "hotspots" of T1 and T2 abnormalities to guide EMB in Aim 2; and (3) obtain radiation-free hemodynamic data in a highly vulnerable pediatric population by using CMR to guide catheter manipulation in the ICMR suite in Aim 3. Age and diagnosis-matched historical controls will be identified from the last 10 years at Children's National as a control population for specific purposes of comparing (1) EMB yield without image overlay and (2) Radiation exposure during X-ray guided right heart catheterization. Identical information will be obtained and stored in the same 45CFR compliant database. Historical controls will be identified from the cardiac catheterization database by searching for age and diagnosis. A waiver of consent will be applicable here, as it would be inconvenient, insensitive and not feasible to consent families who have already undergone treatment. Read Less

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess whether a peri-operative intervention with nutritional immune modulating intervention (Ensure Surgery Immunonutrition shake) has beneficial effects on the complex interplay between gut microbiome, systemic inflammation and malnutrition that is commonly present in advanced heart failure and the adverse events associated with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement in hospitalized advanced heart failure patients awaiting LVAD implantation. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Will pre-surgical supplementation with Ensure Surgery affect gut microbial composition and levels of inflammation among heart failure patients undergoing LVAD implantation? * Will pre-surgical supplementation with Ensure Surgery affect post-surgical morbidity (e.g., infections, intensive care unit length of stay (LOS)) and mortality? Participants will be evaluated for malnutrition and will be given Ensure Surgery Immunonutrition shake to drink in the days preceding their LVAD surgery. Blood and stool samples will be collected at prespecified timepoints before and after surgery. Researchers will compare malnourished participants drinking Ensure Surgery 3/day with well-nourished participants randomized to drink either 1/day or 3/day to see if any of the above supplementation strategies change the gut microbial composition, levels of inflammation, and post-surgical morbidity and mortality. Read Less

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to obtain preliminary data on the effects of lymphatic exercise training in patients with heart failure. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: 1. Does performing lymphatic exercise decrease fluid overload symptoms (shortness of breath, lower legs swelling, fatigue), thoracic fluid content, and body fluid level? 2. Does performing lymphatic exercise improve sleep and quality of life (QOL)? Participants with heart failure will be randomly assigned into two groups: Group 1 will receive training on lymphatic exercises, and will perform these training for 4 weeks. This group will also be trained to monitor daily their weight, heart rate and blood pressure, and fluid overload symptoms. Group 2 will be trained to daily monitor their weight, heart rate and blood pressure, and fluid overload symptoms. This group will not perform the lymphatic exercises. Researchers will compare the two groups at the baseline and after delivering the 4 week-interventions to see 1. if lymphatic exercise helped decrease symptoms associated with fluid overload like shortness of breath, lower leg swelling, and fatigue. 2. if lymphatic exercises decreased thoracic fluid content and total body fluid level . 3. if the lymphatic exercise helped improve sleep and quality of life (QOL). Read Less

This study is being done to determine how inspiratory muscle training impacts inspiratory muscle function during exercise in heart failure patients. Read Less

Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study design Read Less

The purpose of this research is to find out if doing cardiac rehab at home, or a mix of cardiac rehab at home and in the clinic, is as effective as coming in to the clinic for cardiac rehab. Read Less

This study aims to identify genetic causes of adverse events after cardiac surgery, such as atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, renal dysfunction and heart failure. Patients undergoing heart surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Texas Heart Institute are eligible to participate. Read Less

This observational study involves ADHF patients at two sites in the United States and Germany. After informed consent and screening assessments, participants will perform daily voice recordings during their hospital stay, from admission until discharge. Alongside voice data, additional clinical information such as left ventricular ejection fraction, NTpro-BNP levels, and ECG-data will be collected for comprehensive analysis. The study's goal is to identify voice-based indicators of heart failure progression, with the potential to enhance remote monitoring and self-management strategies for heart failure patients. Read Less