Active clinical trials for "Heart Failure"

Renal Compromise after treatment of decompensated heart failure with diuretics is not uncommon. The purpose of our study is to investigate the relationship between cystatin C and worsening renal function in this setting. Cystatin C is a biomarker produced at a constant rate by all cells that is a sensitive biomarker of renal function.Cystatin C and Plasma amino terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels will be obtained at baseline and daily. Our goal is to enroll 100 subjects with an estimated 5 samples per each subject. The time course of changes in cystatin C in relation to serum creatinine levels over time will be plotted. Our hypothesis is that sequential changes in cystatin C levels following initial treatment with diuretic therapy in the setting of acute decompensated heart failure may provide early insight into cardio-renal compromise. Understanding the natural history and time course of the changes in sequential cystatin C levels may facilitate further studies to guide the judicious use of diuretic therapy in acute decompensated heart failure, and to predict the risk of subsequent development of worsening renal function. If serial testing of cystatin C can provide accurate assessment and prediction of worsening renal function, clinical applications of these observations can be evaluated in future prospective studies.

This prospective observational study is designed to confirm the prognostic and economic impact of depression in ambulatory patients with systolic or diastolic heart failure, to explore the impact of other psychosocial patterns such as type D personality, anxiety disorders, locus of control, perceived social support, anger, hopelessness, and to evaluate potential pathophysiological and behavioral pathways.

The purpose of this research study is to see whether a tele-health intervention can improve health, functioning status, emotional status, quality of life, and patient satisfaction for patients with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and to examine the cost benefits of this intervention.

Inspiratory muscle dysfunction is a reduction in the ability to generate pressure and force by the inspiratory muscles. This decrease in the strength of these muscles can be attributed to biochemical and histological changes. Some patients with CHF showed a reduction of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and inspiratory muscle endurance, and such factors known to exercise limitation and deterioration in quality of life and worsens the prognosis of these patients. This study aims to evaluate the Regional pulmonary distribution volume and the influence of enclosures system thoracoabdominal in CHF patients with cardiomegaly associated with diaphragmatic weakness during quiet breathing and during exercise for inspiratory muscle and its correlation with functional data. The investigators evaluated a total of 31 individuals divided into two groups: CHF and control. In the control group, twelve volunteers participated with similar age, gender and body mass index in relation to the group of patients with CHF. The control group participants had an ejection fraction of left ventricle (EF)> 50% without cardiac abnormalities of the cameras and MIP over 80% of predicted. To conduct the exercise to the inspiratory muscles (EMI) was used for IMT Threshold ® device (Threshold Inspiratory Muscle Trainer, HealthScan Products Inc., Cedar Grove, New Jersey) is one of the most used for training of inspiratory muscles in patients with several pathologies such as CHF. The exercise time was 3 minutes. During this period, participants were encouraged to only breathe through the mouth and maintain a respiratory rate between 12 and 16ipm. Opto-electronic plethysmography measures the volume changes of thoracoabdominal system by placing 89 markers formed by hemiesferas covered with retro-reflective paper, taking the place of each of these hemiesferas determined by anatomical landmarks on the anterior and posterior regions of the chest and abdomen. According to our study, a lower ventilation on diaphragmatic region would lead to an increased perception of dyspnea during submaximal exercise in this population. Moreover, the observed changes in the pattern of regional distribution of ventilation in CHF patients compared to healthy individuals can serve as a basis for prospective cohort studies using IMT.

The purpose of this Clinical Trial is to determine the percentage of patients whose hemodynamic response improves with the different configurations offered by the new Quartet® left ventricular lead, as a result of its four electrodes, with respect to the configurations offered by a standard bipolar lead. Furthermore, the optimal stimulation configuration will be determined from a comparison with traditional configurations.

The purpose of the study is to inform decision-makers of the best strategies to implement advanced care planning (ACP). An advanced care plan (ACP) is a verbal or written instruction describing what kind of care an individual would want (or not want)if they are no longer able speak for themselves to make health care decisions.

The purpose of this study is to gather information to better understand the characteristics, medical management techniques and outcomes of patients with chronic severe Heart Failure (HF).

The primary purpose of this study is to compare the time, risk and cost savings of 2 patient groups who receive FDA approved left ventricular pacing leads.

Cost effectiveness analysis of local management of patients diagnosed with heart failure disease compared with an ideal guideline-based management.

The HABIT clinical study is being performed to determine the benefit and optimal frequency for at home testing of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for heart failure patients following hospitalization from decompensation. Subjects will be enrolled following hospitalization for decompensated heart failure. Enrolled subjects will be trained on the use of the Triage Touch meter for fingerstick BNP assessment; these subjects will then test their BNP levels daily using the Triage Touch product for approximately 60 days.