Pontyclun

Researchers are evaluating the Heartfelt device, a new passive monitoring system that detects early signs of fluid build-up in patients with heart failure by measuring changes in foot and lower leg volume using 3D images. The study aims to see if adding this device to standard NHS care improves quality of life and reduces heart failure-related events compared to standard care alone. The trial involves 300 participants from multiple NHS hospitals and GP practices across the UK and uses a randomized crossover design. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard NHS care, which includes regular weight checks and symptom monitoring, or standard care plus the Heartfelt device installed at home. The device captures daily images of the feet to track swelling without extra effort from the user. Alerts triggered by important changes are sent to the clinical team for prompt action. Both groups receive a patient booklet from the British Heart Foundation to support self-monitoring and understanding of heart failure. During the study, participants quality of life will be assessed using questionnaires at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The study will also monitor hospitalizations, deaths, medication adherence, and the availability of daily device data. Researchers will evaluate how the clinical teams respond to alerts, the ease of device use, and its cost-effectiveness. The total participation period covers 12 months of monitoring and data collection.

Researchers are evaluating treatments for community-acquired pneumonia CAP, especially in patients admitted to intensive care units ICUs. This trial also adapts to study treatments for respiratory pandemics like COVID-19. The goal is to determine which treatment strategies improve outcomes for patients with severe pneumonia, using a flexible, ongoing approach that can test multiple therapies simultaneously and update as new information becomes available. Participants receive different treatment strategies based on random assignment to study groups. Treatments include various antibiotics, steroids, antivirals, immune modulators, anticoagulation methods, and ventilation strategies. Some treatment options have been closed to recruitment, reflecting the trials adaptive nature. The trial includes several domains targeting specific infections such as influenza and COVID-19, with dosing and duration guided by clinical practice and local guidelines. During the study, participants are monitored closely with assessments including survival up to 90 days, days alive without organ support in ICU, ICU and hospital length of stay, ventilator-free days, organ failure-free days, and quality of life up to 6 months. Researchers collect detailed data on patient outcomes, organ support needs, and hospital discharge status. The study runs until February 2028, with ongoing evaluation to improve pneumonia treatment strategies in ICU settings and during respiratory pandemics.