Nesiritide in Chronic Heart Failure
Heart Failure
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Heart Failure focused on measuring heart failure, nesiritide, heart disease, cardiovascular disease
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Candidates for enrollment in this clinical trial are limited to adult patients (age>21) diagnosed with chronic heart failure > one year who are managed by heart failure specialists at the University of Chicago. Patients primarily managed by physicians other than the investigators will be enrolled with the concurrence of the treating physician. Study patients are characterized as "high risk" by fulfilling one or more of the following criteria: Refractory class III or IV heart failure despite optimal medical therapy by a heart failure specialist: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), beta-adrenergic blockers (BB), spironolactone (spiro), digoxin (dig), diuretics, and calcium channel blockers (CCB). Frequent hospitalizations or ER visits (>1/month on average). Additionally, patients must be capable of giving informed consent and have adequate social supports to manage chronic, continuous IV infusion therapy with the assistance of home care nursing and the study coordinator. Exclusion Criteria: Nesiritide infusion >24 hours in the previous 30 days. Stable chronic heart failure or NYHA Class I or II. Aortic stenosis greater than mild degree as determined by echocardiogram or catheterization. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with an outflow tract gradient. Isolated right heart failure (cor pulmonale). Unstable coronary syndrome or myocardial infarction< 3 months prior to enrollment. Chronic hypotension with systolic blood pressure < 80 mmHg. Terminal noncardiovascular illness with life expectancy <6 months. Moribund patients will not be considered for enrollment. Active substance abuse. Inadequate social support. Contraindication to long term IV access. Pregnant or lactating females.
Sites / Locations
- University of Chicago Hospitals