Not Yet RecruitingEarly Phase 1

Visualization of the Effects of Guideline-directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) on Improving Adherence and Quality of Life in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)

100 participantsStarted 2026-03-01

Plain-language summary

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains a major public health challenge with substantial morbidity and mortality despite the availability of effective guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Although four major drug classes have been shown to significantly improve survival and reduce hospitalizations, real-world implementation remains suboptimal. In addition to underutilization by healthcare providers, poor medication adherence among patients-reported to range between 29% and 63%-represents a critical barrier to achieving optimal therapeutic benefit. The Visualize-Pro study is a prospective, exploratory pilot study designed to evaluate a simple, patient-centered intervention aimed at improving medication adherence in patients with HFrEF. The intervention consists of patient-friendly graphical visualizations illustrating the survival benefits and risk reduction associated with optimal heart failure therapy. These materials are designed to enhance patient understanding, motivation, and engagement with prescribed treatments. To objectively assess medication adherence, this study incorporates therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) as a gold standard method, in addition to established patient-reported outcome measures such as quality of life and adherence questionnaires. Blood samples will be collected at predefined study visits, and drug levels (or their metabolites) will be analyzed in collaboration with a specialized laboratory to quantify adherence. Participants will be followed over a predefined study period with serial assessments at scheduled visits. The primary objective is to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the intervention in improving medication adherence. Secondary objectives include assessing changes in patient-reported outcomes and exploring associations between adherence and clinical parameters. As a pilot study, the results are intended to inform the design of a future large-scale, multicenter trial. Ultimately, this approach aims to provide a scalable and low-threshold strategy to improve adherence to life-saving therapies in heart failure, thereby contributing to reduced morbidity and mortality in this high-risk population.

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: * Age ≥18 years * Diagnosis of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%) * Indication for guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for heart failure * Stable clinical condition at the time of enrollment * Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Acute decompensated heart failure requiring immediate hospitalization * Severe cognitive impairment or inability to understand study-related information * Life expectancy \<6 months due to non-cardiac comorbidities * Participation in another interventional clinical trial that may interfere with this study * Contraindications to prescribed heart failure medications * Any condition that, in the investigator's judgment, precludes safe participation in the study

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

Medication adherence assessed by therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)

Timeframe: At predefined study visits (e.g., baseline and follow-up visits up to 3/6months)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07505511

SponsorUniversity of Giessen

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-08-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Adherence, Medication trials