RecruitingPhase 1/2

HEART: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

United States50 participantsStarted 2026-05-25

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether spironolactone reduces aortic stiffness, measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), compared with placebo, in patients with degenerative thoracic aortic aneurysms.

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

. Adults ≥ 18 years old with dTAA of the aortic root and/or ascending aorta exceeding the upper limit of normal for age, sex, and body surface area (≥ 4.0 cm as an example of a common threshold; but age, sex and body size-specific thresholds have been established for the aortic root24 and ascending aorta25);
. no antihypertensive use or stable antihypertensive regimen ≥ 4 weeks;
. eGFR ≥ 50 mL/min/1.73 m²;
. serum potassium ≤ 5.1 mmol/L;
. ability to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

. Heritable aortopathies (Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, vascular Ehlers-Danlos, Turner syndromes; familial TAA, genetically-proven TAA);
. bicuspid aortic valve;
. inflammatory aortitis,
. prior aortic surgery, endovascular repair, or acute aortic syndrome;
. permanent atrial fibrillation/flutter;

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

Change in Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV)

Timeframe: Baseline, 6 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07483177

SponsorMayo Clinic

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2028-05

Contact for this trial

Saad Omar

507-538-5162 omar.saad@mayo.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm trials