Heart Failure

Researchers are evaluating whether the Breathlessness diagnostics in a Box BiaB tool can shorten the time to diagnosis for patients experiencing breathlessness compared to usual care. This prospective, interventional study uses a stepped-wedge cluster design in general practice settings across the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal. The main goal is to see if BiaB speeds up diagnosis, with secondary aims to identify more cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD and cardiovascular disease CVD, and to assess the tools usability and efficiency. The study involves 45 general practice sites that start with a usual care period and sequentially transition to using the BiaB tool. Patients receive care as part of their regular visits, either through standard diagnostic procedures or with support from BiaB. No additional treatments are mandated by the study. Each site participates for 40 weeks, and data are gathered from routine clinical visits, electronic medical records, and questionnaires completed by patients and healthcare professionals. Participants attend a single study visit and may complete up to four quarterly questionnaires over a follow-up period lasting up to one year. Researchers measure the time from first presentation of breathlessness to diagnosis, the number of new COPD and CVD diagnoses, and the usability of the BiaB tool. Data are collected continuously during the usual care and intervention phases, allowing comparison of outcomes between these periods.

Spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension is a common and significant complication affecting up to 50-80% of pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section. This trial evaluates whether a brief 5-minute mindfulness-based breathing exercise given just before spinal anesthesia can influence blood pressure changes during surgery. The study compares this breathing technique to standard care in pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years scheduled for elective cesarean delivery. Participants will be randomly assigned to either perform the mindfulness-based breathing exercise or receive standard preoperative care. The breathing exercise involves slow diaphragmatic breathing at about six breaths per minute, guided by a trained anesthesiologist or nurse, with mindful repetition of the phrase My body is relaxing as I exhale. Both groups receive spinal anesthesia with specific medications, and careful monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is performed. During the study, participants will be closely observed for changes in systolic blood pressure and heart rate within 10 minutes after spinal anesthesia. Anxiety levels, incidence of early hypotension, and medication use to support blood pressure will also be measured. The trial includes standard monitoring such as ECG and oxygen saturation, with safety and response data collected throughout the procedure. Participants involvement includes a short breathing exercise or equivalent wait time before anesthesia, with follow-up assessments during surgery.

Researchers are working to create risk prediction models that help identify patients with a high risk of developing serious cardiovascular problems. The study focuses on individuals with structural, rhythm-related, or inflammatory cardiovascular diseases and aims to improve early detection of those at risk. This observational study is sponsored by the Medical University Innsbruck and includes adults 18 years and older. Participants in this study have their clinical data and risk factors recorded to better understand their cardiovascular condition. There are no specific treatments or interventions given as part of the study since it is observational. The study will follow patients for up to four years to observe outcomes related to cardiovascular events and hospitalizations. During the study, researchers will monitor events such as cardiovascular mortality, stroke, heart attacks, hospital stays due to heart failure, and other severe heart-related conditions. Participants will be assessed regularly through clinical data collection without additional procedures or treatments. The study aims to gather detailed information over time to improve risk assessment and patient care for cardiovascular diseases.

Noncommunicable diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease cause more deaths worldwide than any other conditions, with a growing impact especially in low- and middle-income countries. Cardiovascular disease CVD is a leading cause of death globally, and its prevalence is rising despite awareness efforts. Diet and nutrition are important factors influencing these diseases, and this research explores the role of a traditional Chinese medicine nutritional drink in supporting cardiovascular health. The study evaluates the effects of the Perfect Heartio drink, a nutritional supplement made from diluted herbal extracts traditionally used in Chinese medicine. Participants will consume 15 grams of the drink twice daily for 12 weeks while their compliance is monitored. This intervention is being studied to assess its potential in improving heart and blood vessel function by measuring various cardiovascular health indicators. Participants will be assessed at the start and at weeks 4, 8, and 12 for lipid profiles, heart inflammation, heart injury, and heart remodeling. Quality of life and self-perceived health status will also be evaluated over these timepoints. The study includes healthy adults aged 18 and above who agree to follow the intervention plan and attend follow-up visits. Monitoring throughout the study will help researchers understand the drinks impact on cardiovascular health markers over the 12-week period.

This study evaluates whether a mobile phone-based mHealth Behavioural Change Communication BCC educational intervention can improve the adoption and exclusive use of Liquid Petroleum Gas LPG for cooking among households in semi-rural Bangladesh. Household air pollutants HAP from biomass fuels such as wood, agricultural residue, and cow dung expose almost 3 billion people worldwide, including 89% of people in Bangladesh. In the earlier GEOHealth study, 24 months of LPG use reduced personal PM2.5 exposure by about 58.2% and produced changes in innate immune and inflammatory responses, while chronic cardio-pulmonary markers remained relatively stable. More than 70% of households continued using LPG after the earlier study, although not exclusively. The investigators will conduct a large household-level randomized controlled trial using an mHealth-based educational intervention and will continue following the cohort. The study will examine the long-term effects of HAP reduction on subclinical measures of cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunction, innate and inflammatory immune function, and antibody response to vaccines. Personal 24-hour and area-wise 5-day exposure to PM2.5 and black carbon will be repeatedly assessed before and after the intervention. Lung function and lung pathology will be assessed using spirometry, Chest X-ray, and high-resolution computed tomography of the chest. Cardiovascular measures will include blood pressure and EKG, while metabolic dysfunction will be assessed using HbA1c and fasting lipid profile. Immune function will be evaluated through immune cell phenotyping, functional cytotoxic killer cells, and oxidative stress of lymphocytes.

The 100-Year Human Aging Study is a long-term observational research project enrolling adult participants to undergo detailed multi-system health screenings and follow them throughout their lives until death. The study aims to identify which health measurements taken at enrollment and repeatedly over time can predict overall mortality, cause-specific death, serious diseases, and functional disability. It addresses the current lack of validated longevity measures by generating data on how various physiological and cognitive functions relate to aging outcomes. Participants undergo a comprehensive clinical screening that includes tests of cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, mobility, neurocognitive performance, sensory functions, and metabolic health. Structural imaging assessments like DEXA scans, echocardiography, electrocardiography, spirometry, retinal photography, and vascular ultrasound are performed. Laboratory tests and detailed medical, social, and environmental histories are also collected. The study allows participation from single tests up to a full two-visit screening, with repeat testing encouraged to track health changes over time. Throughout the study, participants receive individualized reports with investigational estimates of biological age and predicted mortality risks, which are being evaluated against actual health outcomes. Researchers collect data continuously on mortality, disease occurrence, disability, and health behavior changes. The study involves ongoing follow-up with periodic assessments and aims to preserve all collected data for future analyses, with participant involvement potentially spanning their entire lifespan.

Researchers are evaluating the radiopharmaceutical 18F-meta-fluorobenzylguanidine 18F-mFBG as a new imaging agent to measure myocardial sympathetic innervation in stable patients with heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy. This Phase 2 study focuses on adults who have a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35% or less and have implantable cardioverter-defibrillators ICDs. The study aims to compare 18F-mFBG uptake with historical imaging agents and assess differences in sympathetic innervation related to past ICD activations. Participants will receive two PET radiopharmaceuticals intravenously 18F-mFBG to assess sympathetic innervation and Rubidium-82 to assess myocardial blood flow. The study groups consist of patients who have experienced ICD activation within the past 12 months and those who have not. Both imaging agents will be used to examine cardiac regions for abnormalities and to quantify myocardial uptake patterns during the study. During the trial, participants will undergo PET imaging and safety monitoring for 24 hours after the administration of these agents. Researchers will collect imaging data, evaluate heart function, and monitor for any adverse or serious adverse events. The study will assess how well 18F-mFBG works compared to previous imaging methods and gather safety information over the course of participation.

Heart failure is a leading cause of hospital admission in Ghana, accounting for about 88.3% of cardiac cases. Despite advances in treatment guidelines, many patients face repeated hospital readmissions, which increase the risk of death. This research aims to evaluate whether extensive counseling after discharge combined with regular phone follow-ups can reduce the rate of hospital readmissions within 30 and 90 days for heart failure patients at a major hospital in Ghana. The study compares two groups of heart failure patients one receiving usual care, which includes counseling by their attending physicians and standard outpatient reviews, and another receiving additional extensive post-discharge counseling from a study doctor, pharmacist, or trained nurse, along with weekly phone follow-ups for the first 30 days and then every four weeks up to day 90. This approach aims to provide more support after hospital discharge to help reduce readmissions. Participants will be monitored over a 90-day period after discharge, with regular assessments through phone calls and outpatient visits. Researchers will track hospital readmission rates at both 30 and 90 days as the primary outcome. The study involves collecting information on patient adherence to treatment and follow-up care, aiming to better understand how enhanced support can impact heart failure management and reduce repeat hospitalizations.

The trial investigates the use of 3D transesophageal echocardiography TEE to analyze the right ventricles function in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device LVAD implantation. LVADs help support the left ventricle in patients with severe heart failure. Because right ventricular failure after LVAD implantation is common and linked to complications, this study aims to better predict which patients are at higher risk by using advanced 3D imaging methods. Participants receive one of several types of left-sided LVADs, including HeartMate III, HeartWare HVAD, or Levitronix CentriMag devices. During the LVAD implantation procedure, 3D TEE images of the right ventricle are taken and analyzed. The study focuses on gathering detailed heart function data and does not involve additional treatments or interventions beyond standard device implantation. During the study, researchers collect various heart function measurements within 24 hours after implantation, such as ventricular strain, volumes, ejection fractions, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion. Secondary outcomes include monitoring clinical data and lab tests over 14 days post-implantation. Participants are observed for right ventricular function and related support needs. The study started in March 2022 and will continue through January 2027, involving no experimental treatments beyond imaging and data collection.

Researchers are investigating myocardial fibrosis in patients with heart failure, focusing on those with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy HFrEF phenotype and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy a subtype of HFpEF. The study explores the use of gallium-68-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor positron emission tomographycomputed tomography 68Ga-FAPI PETCT compared to the current standard, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging CMR, to better detect and monitor fibrosis activity. This observational pilot study aims to improve non-invasive methods for assessing fibrogenesis and treatment effects. Participants will undergo 68Ga-FAPI PETCT scans to evaluate myocardial fibrosis. The study includes patients with preserved or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction meeting specific imaging and diagnostic criteria. Recent echocardiograms, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and normal coronary angiogram or CT coronary angiography are required within specified timelines. The study is single-center and prospective, focusing on developing new assessment methodologies for future anti-fibrotic therapies. During the study, participants will be monitored through imaging assessments at baseline and after two years to measure 68Ga-FAPI uptake. Researchers will also correlate imaging findings with serum cardiac biomarkers and cardiovascular events. The study requires participants to have stable conditions without recent hospitalizations for heart failure and includes safety monitoring concerning kidney function and tolerance to procedures. The total participation duration may span over two years with repeated evaluations.