Active clinical trials for "Heart Failure"

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of spironolactone on circulating MMP levels and insulin resistance in patients with chronic heart failure.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of losartan, an ARB, on glucose metabolism and inflammatory cytokines in CHF patients treated with ACE inhibitors.

Transudative pleural effusions are a common manifestation of patients with congestive heart failure. Severe dyspnea and respiratory failure may develop in those with large effusions, which in general show poor response to medical treatment. Therapeutic thoracenteses (TT) may be indicated in these patients and can produce marked relief of symptoms. However, the underlying effect of TT on gas exchange and respiratory mechanics in theses patients remains unclear. The researchers' hypothesis is that,TT may improve arterial oxygenation and respiratory mechanics in patients with congestive heart failure complicated by large pleural effusions.

This is a trial to examine the effects of meditation on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and the psychological profiles in patients with implanted cardiac defibrillators. We wish to test the following hypotheses: Vipassana meditation reduces the incidence of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with congestive heart failure. Vipassana meditation improves the psychological profile in patients with CHF. In this study, subjects meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be recruited into the study after obtaining informed consent. The subjects will then be randomized into either an experimental group ( Meditation) or into a control group (usual care).

To access the efficacy of intravenous (IV) administration of CD-NP on changes in cardiac output and wedge pressure in patients with stabilized acute heart failure

Congestive heart failure affects 2.3 percent of the population (approximately 4,900,000) with an incidence of 10 per 1,000 of the population after the age of 65 (1). The admission rate for patients with heart failure is on the rise, so is the mortality associated with it and its national annual bill, now exceeding $21 billion (1). Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is present in 11-37 percent of patients with heart failure (2,3), and tends to increase in severity when the heart failure is less controlled (4, 5). Therefore, the actual prevalence of OSA in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure is likely higher. There is now evidence that treatment of OSA with nasal Continuous Positive Pressure (nCPAP) in outpatients with stable heart failure improves left ventricular ejection fraction, and quality of life (6), and confers a reduction in fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events (7). However, there has not been any evaluation of the role of diagnosis and treatment of OSA in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure. This uncertainty about the true prevalence and role of OSA in exacerbations of heart failure, and the role of its treatment in the acute setting may explain why aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for OSA in patients admitted to the hospital with acute heart failure is not part of the standard clinical practice in acute care centers. Given the rising admission rate, and mortality associated with heart failure, an evaluation of the role of OSA and its treatment in this patient population is highly significant.

A pilot study to examine the effects of LDL-Apheresis on patients with Stage III Congestive Heart Failure. Study hypothesis: Decreased blood viscosity from receiving LDL-apheresis will decrease workload on the heart and improve symptoms associated with the progression of Congestive Heart Failure

The purpose of this study was to assess whether Growth Hormone(GH)improves exercise capacity and cardiopulmonary performance in patients with chronic heart failure.

There is now strong evidence from clinical trials that carvedilol therapy in heart failure is superior to therapy with metoprolol. Not only does carvedilol have superior effects on lipid profiles, insulin sensitivity, renal blood flow, and reversal of pathologic remodeling but also its use is associated with fewer deaths compared to metoprolol. These facts make it important to carefully define how metoprolol and carvedilol are pharmacologically different. One potential difference is α1-AR antagonism. If we demonstrate that these α1-AR effects are preserved with chronic therapy, then α1-AR blockade may have an important role in carvedilol favorably altering the natural history of heart failure. On the other hand, if we demonstrate that tolerance to the α1-AR blockade effect of carvedilol decreases with time, then it would be unlikely that this pharmacologic property contributes to the efficacy of carvedilol. In such a case other pharmacologic properties, such as antioxidant activity, would appear to be important. These results will help guide future studies into CHF and AR blockade.

The purpose of the study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of the Jarvik 2000 Heart as a bridge to heart transplantation in end-stage heart failure patients who are approved heart transplant candidates.