CompletedNot Applicable

Arterial Stiffness in Heart Failure and Chronic Kidney Disease

United Kingdom119 participantsStarted 2022-01-30

Plain-language summary

This observational study is assessing the effects that arterial stiffness may have on patients with heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Arterial stiffness will be measured by assessing pulse wave velocity (PWV). Carotid- Femoral PWV is the gold standard in measuring arterial stiffness non- invasively. Many studies have shown increasing PWV is a predictor of cardiovascular events, but the significance of increasing PWV as a surrogate marker for the potential worsening (decompensation) of HF or CKD has not been explored. This study aims to investigate patients with HF and CKD by assessing PWV while in a decompensated state and again when in a stable condition after 4 weeks of discharge to investigate a link between decompensation and rise of arterial stiffness. The research team aim to recruit 120 patients in this study with 40 patients in each of the 3 groups- heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and acute kidney injury (AKI). All AKI patients would have had known CKD (stages 3a, 3b or 4). The study participants will be initially recruited in hospital while admitted in an acute state and tests including bloods, ECG, echocardiography and PWV will be performed. The tests (excluding echocardiography) will be repeated 4 weeks after discharge. There is no intervention in this study. The study seeks to improve the understanding of the role of the vasculature in the development of acute HF in the two common types- HFrEF and HFpEF. As CKD is a common comorbidity in heart failure patients we felt that a study of the behaviour of arterial stiffness in this cohort will add to this understanding. If arterial stiffness is found to be an important component of the HF syndrome therapeutic interest could be focused at managing arterial stiffness with novel therapy.

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years – 100 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: Male or Female age ≥60 Known or documented diagnosis of Heart Failure ( Heart Failure with reduced ejection fraction HFrEF or Heart Failure with preserved ejection fraction HFpEF) on admission or prior to admission. HFrEF is defined as Left Ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of \<40%, HFpEF is defined as LVEF \>50% as in accordance with the classification by the European Society of Cardiology. Patients on optimal evidence based therapy for heart failure Known or documented diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease stage 3a, 3b or 4, for minimum period of ≥6 months \- Exclusion Criteria: Severe Peripheral Vascular Disease Patients who have had a myocardial infarction or coronary artery bypass surgery within 6 months Severe Anaemia Hb 70g/dl Dementia or unable to consent lack mental capacity Bedbound/ Immobile patients Severe Liver Failure Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients on LTOT (Long Term Oxygen Therapy) Renal transplant Previous or Current Renal Replacement Therapy (Peritoneal Dialysis or Haemodialysis) Sepsis \-

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Pulse Wave Velocity (m/s)

Timeframe: 12 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05012722

SponsorUniversity Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2023-12-13

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Arterial Stiffness trials