Analysis of Cardiac Biomarker Racial Discrepancies
Stopped: PI no longer with the site
United States0Started 2021-09-15
Plain-language summary
The goal is to review cardiac biomarkers present on admission between African American patients with new onset Heart Failure compared to a comparable cohort of Caucasian patients to establish whether there is a clinically significant difference between the two groups regarding cardiac biomarker levels and initial Heart Failure severity.
Hypothesis: Cardiac biomarker levels in African American patients with new onset Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction will be significantly lower than a Caucasian cohort with new onset Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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:
* \>18 years
* Self-identified as AA
* Self-identified as Caucasian
* NYHA class II-IV symptoms
* Left ventricle EF \<40%
* First admission for HFrEF
* No echocardiography during initial admission
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients not meeting inclusion criteria
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.
1This trial was listed as 'withdrawn' — can you help me understand what that means for my situation, and whether there are any similar studies looking at racial differences in heart failure biomarkers like NT-proBNP and troponin that I could potentially participate in instead?
2I've heard that NT-proBNP levels, which this study was specifically trying to measure across racial groups, can sometimes be interpreted differently depending on a patient's background — is that something we should factor into how we read my own test results?
3Since this study was also tracking ejection fraction and NYHA class alongside biomarker levels, are those the same measures being used to evaluate my heart failure right now, and how are they guiding my treatment plan?
4Could the questions this trial was trying to answer — about whether cardiac biomarker levels differ by race or demographics — have any bearing on how confidently we interpret my specific lab results, given my background?
5Are there other research programs or registries focused on heart failure biomarker equity that my care team is aware of, where contributing my data might help address the gap this withdrawn trial was trying to fill?
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
1
Baseline NT-proBNP levels on admission
Timeframe: Chart reviews ill be done for charts generated from April 2017 to August 2020
2
Baseline troponin-I or troponin-T levels on admission
Timeframe: Chart reviews ill be done for charts generated from April 2017 to August 2020
3
Demographic data: Age
Timeframe: Chart reviews ill be done for charts generated from April 2017 to August 2020
4
Demographic data: Gender
Timeframe: Chart reviews ill be done for charts generated from April 2017 to August 2020
5
Demographic data: body mass index (BMI)
Timeframe: Chart reviews ill be done for charts generated from April 2017 to August 2020
6
Ejection Fraction on echocardiography during first admission
Timeframe: Chart reviews ill be done for charts generated from April 2017 to August 2020