Active clinical trials for "Heart Failure"

This study will be conducted as a randomized, multi-centre, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study in patients receiving SoC therapy. Eligible participants will be randomized in a ratio of 1:1 to receive either test product, TRC041266 1500 mg or matching placebo twice daily for 48 weeks

The aim of this retrospective study will be to investigate the effect of the preoperative administration of levosimendan on the outcome of patients with compromised cardiac function undergoing cardiac surgery

This is a, prospective, single center, open-label, pilot study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the subcutaneous administration of a novel furosemide formulation. The results of this pilot study will be reviewed to determine the safety of the subcutaneous treatment regimen and to evaluate patient selection criteria for possible at home treatment. The intent is to conduct a future follow on study looking at the feasibility of at home treatment of patients referred to a hospital for treatment of fluid overload.

Up to 60% of patients with heart failure show abnormal patterns of breathing (sleep disordered breathing (SDB)) at night which can increase the risk of recurrent admissions and have important prognostic implications. SDB is however, treatable with the use of non invasive breathing support devices such as the adaptive servo ventilation (ASV) device. The aim of the study is to observe and investigate the potential role of ASV in the management of heart failure. Patients that agree to participate in this study will be requested to use an ASV ventilator device (called the AutoSet CS-A) to help their SDB for approximately 6 weeks. The device is approximately the size of a large shoe box, which can be placed at the side of the bed, with tubing and a mask. At night, the mask is placed over the nose and/or mouth and it blows positive air pressure as determined by the device itself as it constantly monitors the patients breathing throughout the night. During this study, the patients breathing patterns will be monitored non-invasively using the ApneaLink device. A non-contact device knows as a SleepMinder will sit on the patients bedside locker as another form of monitoring of their sleep patterns. Study staff will monitor the patient and give them frequent support, and they will also be asked questions regarding their experiences with this equipment and any symptoms they may have over this time. They will be followed up regarding this study at the same time as their follow-up requirements for their heart failure. This study will be conducted in total over 3 months.

This is a prospective, double blinded randomized clinical study to evaluate the Effects of Pentoxifylline on left ventricular systolic function indices and circulating biomarkers in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. A few studies all focused in Africa have consistently shown marked beneficial effects of pentoxifylline in improvement of left ventricular size and systolic function along with marked decrease in biomarkers of heart failure and apoptosis markers on top of standard CHF therapy. Furthermore pentoxifylline was shown to have negligible effects on heart rate, blood pressure in those studies. Limitations of these studies are that they are largely single center originating in the African subcontinent and have never been tested in the North American population, particularly Caucasians. Despite major advances in medical therapy for congestive heart failure, it is still one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in North America. Most medications tested for improvement of Ejection Fraction with the exception of Beta-Blockers and Ace-Inhibitors have been associated with worsening mortality. Pentoxifylline is a medication that has negligible effects on myocardial oxygen consumption, yet promising effects on inflammatory markers seen in CHF with the possibility of improvement in LV systolic function and symptomology and may prove to be a useful addition for CHF patients. This would prove to be especially useful, particularly when associated with no major side effects.

The overall aim is to conduct a human physiologic study to assess the renal and neurohumoral effects of CD-NP vs placebo in older subjects with stable chronic systolic heart failure and moderate renal dysfunction.

Acute effects of CPAP on diastolic function in patients with compensated heart failure (CHF) are unknown. The investigators hypothesized that acutely CPAP improves diastolic function, which is associated with increases exercise tolerance. Objective: To evaluate the acute effects of CPAP on functional capacity and diastolic indices of patients with CHF. This is a randomized trial including 44 patients with compensated heart failure (functional classes II or III, NYHA). Patients will be allocated in CPAP(CPAP with 10cmH2O) or simulated CPAP (null pressure) after computed randomization, in a 1:1 ratio. All subjects shall complete a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) before and after CPAP (30 minutes; 10 cm H2O pressure). Doppler-echocardiogram will be performed before and at the end of CPAP. Wilcoxon or paired t tests were used to compare results, with significance level at p < 0.05.

Background of the study: Many elderly suffer from reduced exercise tolerance or exercise induced shortness of breath (dyspnoea) which causes decreased mobility and restrictions in physical, psychological and social functioning. Patients commonly attribute this symptom to their age, and simply adjust their life style to it. Reduced exercise tolerance/dyspnoea is very common with prevalence rate of 20-60% of those aged 65 years and over. The main causus in the elderly are heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Both diseases have a high negative impact on the quality of life and are associated with frequent hospital admissions. Over-diagnosis, but more often under-diagnosis of heart failure and COPD is rather common in primary care. Establishing a diagnosis early in the course of the disease is useful because both diseases can be adequately and evidence-based treated. Therefore, an easy diagnostic triage-strategy followed bij direct treatment would be of great importance to asses and treat heart failure and COPD in elderly patient with shortness of breath. Objective of the study: Quantify how many frail elderly aged over 65 years with reduced exercise tolerance and/or exercise induced dyspnoea have previously unrecognised COPD and heart failure. Quantify the difference in prevalence of unrecognised COPD and heart failure between those who underwent the diagnostic triage compared to those who received care as usual. Quantify the effect of the diagnostic triage plus the additionally treatment changes on functionality and quality of life after 6 months compared to those who received care as usual. Quantify the cost-effectiveness of the diagnostic triage strategy compared to care as usual Study design: A clustered randomized diagnostic (follow-up) study Study population: First, pre-selection of patients aged over 65 years from 50 general practices is based on frailty. Frailty is based on the next criteria: use 5 or more different types of medical drugs chronically in the last year and/or have 3 or more chronic or vitality treating diseases (such as diabetes mellitus, COPD, heart failure, impaired vision). This will be done from the electronic medical files of the general practices. These elderly will receive the MRC questionnaire of dyspnoea and three additional questions related tot exercise intolerance. Those with any dyspnoea and/or reduced exercise tolerance will be invited to participate, except those with established heart failure and COPD. Study parameters/outcome of the study: Prevalence of latent heart failure and COPD. Difference in prevalence of latent heart failure and COPD between both groups. Differences in functionality and quality of life after 6 months between both groups. Cost-effectiveness and experienced patient burden of the diagnostic triage strategy.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of Levosimendan given preoperative to patients with heart failure undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Heart failure (HF) is a disease that is caused by a reduced heart muscle function. Reduced heart muscle function can occur as a consequence of reduced pumping activity from a weak heart muscle or because of a stiff heart muscle. This study is looking at the effectiveness of Natrecor (nesiritide) in patients that require hospitalization due to worsening heart failure as a result of a stiff or thickened heart muscle. Natrecor is a man-made version of a protein that my body makes on its own and has been approved for the treatment of patients requiring hospital admission for heart failure and have shortness of breath at rest or with minimal activity. Natrecor has shown to lower the pressures in the heart and decreases the congestion in the lungs. This study is being done to see if the addition of a Natrecor to standard medical therapy for HF will improve symptoms faster or more completely than giving only the standard treatment for CHF.