Withdrawal of Pharmacological Treatment in Patients Responding to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy:...
Heart FailureThe purpose of this randomized trial is to investigate the effect of the complete removal of pharmacological treatment in patients responding to cardiac resynchronization therapy with recuperated LVEF in terms of imaging parameters (changes in LVEF and LV volume), as well as, clinical parameters that translate into worsening of heart failure.
Comparing the Effects of Cognitive Training and Physical Exercise on Cognition, Cerebral Autoregulation...
Chronic Heart FailureAgingThe objective of this project is to assess the effects of combined physical exercise and cognitive training interventions on cognitive and brain health in patients with heart failure (HF). Also, the role of sex on the effects of the interventions will be assessed.
Measuring Hydration Levels of Healthy and Heart Failure Patients Before, During, and After an Electrophysiology...
Cardiac ArrhythmiaSubjects will be consented to wear the AleriTM sensor prior to, during, and after an Electrophysiology Procedure. During this time, the system will measure the following parameters from subjects: HR, temperature, saline volume/rate, urine production volume, USG, BPO. Data will be retrospectively analyzed to determine if the system effectively operates under these conditions, and can effectively monitor hydration levels of subjects compared to currently available methods.
Acute Hemodynamic Effects of Pacing the His Bundle in Heart Failure
Heart FailureSystolic2 moreCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with biventricular pacing (BVP) is indicated for patients with low ejection fraction and persistent symptoms of heart failure despite medical therapy and a wide QRS-complex, preferably with a left bundle branch block. Unfortunately, up to 40 % receiving CRT do not respond with subjective improvement or improved left ventricular ejection fraction from the treatment. There are few therapeutic alternatives in patients not responding to CRT with BVP, and the potential to improve cardiac function in these patients could make a large difference in terms of life quality and prognosis. His-bundle pacing (HBP) can be a suitable alternative, but is likely not possible in all patients with failed CRT. Furthermore, upgrading to HBP does require a surgical procedure and therefore exposes the patients to risk of complications (e.g. infection of the device). Therefore, early identification of the patients who are likely to benefit from an upgrade to HBP would be beneficial. This study aims to evaluate if patients with failed CRT treatment will benefit from hemodynamic improvement if they are treated with temporary HBP, without opening the device-pocket, and exposing the existing pacemaker-device to a risk of infection. A temporary pacemaker lead and pacing sheath will be used, and placed in the heart via a blood vessel on the right side of neck, using local anaesthesia. Acute effects on the pump function of the heart will be measured during rest and during supine bicycle test (the equivalent of moderate physical activity). Factors associated with a beneficial effect will be evaluated on a group basis. If the individual patient experiences an improvement of cardiac function during the test, he/she will be offered an upgrade to HBP and a replacement of the existing device.
The Prognostic Impact of Using High-dose Hydralazine in Severe Systolic Heart Failure With Hemodynamically...
Systolic Heart Failure Stage D (Disorder)Mitral RegurgitationBackground: Severe systolic heart failure would be complicated with low cardiac output and high left ventricular filling pressure and the clinical presentations would be low blood pressure, poor peripheral perfusion, and pulmonary edema. Severe systolic heart failure with hemodynamically significant mitral regurgitation brings even more challenged since the obvious elevation of left atrial pressure induces more pulmonary congestion and backward flow of regurgitation in cases with already low cardiac output and poor peripheral perfusion complicates more severe of low cardiac output. Surgical interventions in those cases aren't strongly recommended due to very high operation risk. In the era of lack of nitroprusside in Taiwan (more than 7 years), hydralazine, a direct vasodilator, is a potential substitute for treatment of those cases. The advantages of hydralazine include 1) different dosage forms are available (10 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg); 2) short half-life makes it reaching steady blood concentration in short period and allow to up- titrate rapidly and also recover fast while adverse reaction occurs; 3) it is much cheaper than other evidence-based medications. In this study, the investigators try to use rapid up-titration of hydralazine to maximal tolerable dose, almost up to 300-400 mg per day, combined with other evidence-based medications in cases with left ventricular ejection fraction less than 35% and mitral regurgitation severity more than moderate degree and assess the prognostic impact. Objective: Four hundred of patients with severe systolic dysfunction and hemodynamically significant mitral regurgitation, who were admitted for intensive care unit for acute decompensated heart failure, will be enrolled and the participants will be divided into two groups according 1 to 1 randomization process. Control group will receive conventional treatment with tolerable maximal dose of evidence-based medications and study group will use hydralazine with rapid up-titration, if no clinical adverse responses were noted, following by or simultaneously using evidence-based medications. The end-points include in- hospital mortality, 3-year all-cause mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. During follow-up period, any adverse response of high-dose hydralazine including lupus-like syndrome and arthritis will be monitored.
Mechanism and Effects of Manipulating Chloride Homeostasis in Stable Heart Failure
Decompensated Heart FailureThis study is designed to investigate the quantitative effects of sodium-free chloride supplementation on electrolyte balance, volume status, and sodium avidity in stable heart failure patients in a highly controlled environment.
EMPAGUM: Effects of Empagliflozin on Gut Microbiota in Heart Failure With a Preserved Ejection Fraction...
Heart FailureHeart Failure With Preserved Ejection FractionEmpagliflozin was recommended for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in 2021 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines (Class of Recommendation Ia) and patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in 2022 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines (Class of Recommendation IIa). However, the physiopathologic mechanisms in its effects on HFpEF are not clear. Studies illustrate that gut microbiota plays an essential role in the progress of the heart failure. Studies on mice found that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (sglt-2i) could affect the intestinal microbiota in mice. The purpose of this study is to clarify the changes of gut microbiota in the patients with HFpEF taking Empagliflozin and explore the role of gut microbiota in this process.
Cardioverter DefIbriIlator PlacEMent for priMary Prevention of Sudden cArdiac Death in Patients...
Heart FailurePrimary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death1 moreThe primary objective of DILEMMA study is to assess whether the "heart failure optimal therapy alone (HFOT)" strategy is non inferior to the "HFOT+ICD" strategy in terms of overall survival 48 months after randomization, in patients ≥ 75 years with an ICD indication for primary prevention of SCD whether there is an indication for cardiac resynchronization therapy or not.
Remote Monitoring After Heart Failure
Heart Failure AcuteRemote Monitoring1 moreHeart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalisation and disability-adjusted life years lost, with mortality rates exceeding most cancers. Despite compelling evidence and recommendations, less than 20% of the HF patients are followed-up by the specialist healthcare after hospital discharge. Due to limited outpatient capacity, human resources and increasing incidence of HF over the next decades, new care models are obviously needed. Remote monitoring (i.e. telemonitoring) encompasses the use of audio, video and other telecommunication technologies to monitor patient status at a distance. Remote monitoring is a promising strategy that can facilitate rapid access to care when needed and reduce patient travel to hospital consultations. It also promotes self-care behaviour, psychosocial support, and early detection of cardiac decompensation. Despite intensive research for >10 years, randomised trials show conflicting results, and European HF guidelines are confined to a weak (class IIb, level of evidence B) recommendation. More knowledge about the role of remote monitoring strategies in HF management, especially in the transition from hospital to home, is thus requested in the most recent European and US guidelines. In particular, studies of high-risk patients integrating the community health services are largely lacking. Furthermore, the components of the intervention that mediate the effect need to be identified. The proposed study aims to address these gaps in evidence and assess whether individually tailored remote monitoring at home (IT-HEART) is improves clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with decompensated HF. We also aim to identify modifiable clinical and behavioural (drug adherence, self-care, psychological factors) outcome predictors. A prospective, multicentre, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint adjudication (PROBE) intervention study is designed and powered to include about 368 patients with at least one HF hospitalization in the 12 months preceding enrolment. To ensure generalizability, patients will be included regardless of comorbidity, frailty and ejection fraction. We have conducted a pilot-study providing empirical evidence for the expected participation rate, readmission rate and barriers to HF management in current clinical practice that will be targets for the intervention. This will promote high adherence to the intervention and positive long-term clinical and health economic effects.
V-Lap System For Wirelessly Measuring And Monitoring Left Atrial Pressure (LAP) In Patients With...
Heart FailureThe objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and performance of the V-LAP System in subjects with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II and III HF, irrespective of left ventricular ejection fraction.