Bedside NT-proBNP Monitoring in Acute Heart Failure
50 participantsStarted 2026-08-15
Plain-language summary
The goal of this observational study is to investigate the association between dynamic changes in NT-proBNP levels and clinical decongestion status in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) receiving guideline-directed standard medical treatment.
The main question it aims to answer is:
Among patients with acute decompensated heart failure treated according to current clinical guidelines, are changes in NT-proBNP levels during hospitalization associated with successful clinical decongestion?
Participants will receive standard-of-care treatment for ADHF according to treating physicians' clinical decisions and current guideline recommendations. During hospitalization, serial NT-proBNP measurements and repeated assessments of congestion status will be performed to evaluate the relationship between NT-proBNP dynamics and the process of decongestion.
This study is purely observational and will not assign treatments or modify clinical management. The findings may improve understanding of the role of NT-proBNP dynamics as a marker of treatment response and provide preliminary evidence for future studies on individualized management of acute heart failure.
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 aged ≥18 years.
* Patients hospitalized in the cardiac intensive care unit (CCU) with a diagnosis of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).
* Presence of clinical evidence of congestion at admission, including at least one of the following:
* Symptoms or signs of volume overload (e.g., dyspnea, orthopnea, peripheral edema, elevated jugular venous pressure).
* Pulmonary congestion based on physical examination or imaging findings.
* Other clinically recognized evidence of congestion judged by the treating physician.
* Patients receiving standard guideline-directed medical treatment for acute decompensated heart failure, including intravenous diuretic therapy according to clinical practice.
* Ability to provide informed consent or availability of a legally authorized representative to provide consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Cardiogenic shock or requirement for immediate mechanical circulatory support.
* End-stage kidney disease requiring maintenance dialysis or renal replacement therapy at admission.
* Acute conditions requiring urgent intervention that may interfere with study assessments, including acute coronary syndrome requiring immediate revascularization or acute pulmonary embolism.
* Clinical conditions in which NT-proBNP interpretation is considered unreliable or inappropriate by the investigator.
* Expected survival of less than 72 hours, early transfer from the CCU, or inability to complete the core observation period.
* Any other co…
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
1
Percentage Change in NT-proBNP Levels From Baseline During Hospitalization
Timeframe: Within 72 hours after admission to the cardiac intensive care unit