Assessing heart function and circulation in adults

A Novel Approach to the Assessment of the Systemic Circulation and Left Ventricular Performance in Adults

Not applicable Interventional University of Calgary · NCT04347655

This study is testing new ways to check heart function and blood flow in adults with heart failure compared to healthy people to see how their hearts respond during a handgrip test.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Calgary Academic / other
Locations1 site (Calgary, Alberta)
Trial IDNCT04347655 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate cardiovascular function in adults by using novel concepts to assess systemic circulation and left ventricular (LV) performance. The researchers will compare patients with heart failure, both with reduced and preserved ejection fraction, to healthy controls using non-invasive methods. Participants will undergo a handgrip test while being monitored with EKG electrodes and finger blood pressure cuffs to gather real-time data on their cardiovascular responses. The study seeks to identify indicators of compromised heart function in patients with heart failure.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with clinical heart failure or healthy individuals without heart failure.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent or those on intravenous inotrope or pressor medications may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved assessment methods for heart failure, enhancing patient management and treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel in humans, similar concepts have shown promise in animal models, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 years or older
* Clinical heart failure (HFrEF or HFpEF) for heart failure patients and no clinical heart failure for the non-heart failure participants.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent
* On intravenous inotrope or pressor medications to maintain their cardiac function

Where this trial is running

Calgary, Alberta

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Heart Failure
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.