Clinical trial Recruiting at 65 sites Interventional Ages 18 and up

Evaluating Cardiac Contractility Modulation in Heart Failure Patients

Official title: Assessment of Implantable CCM in the Heart Failure Group With Higher Ejection Fraction

Run by Impulse Dynamics · NCT05064709 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new heart treatment called Cardiac Contractility Modulation to see if it can help people with heart failure feel better and improve their heart function.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment1500 (estimated)
SponsorImpulse Dynamics
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations67 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 66 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 3, 2022
Main results expectedFebruary 1, 2029
Study endsFebruary 1, 2029
Registry record updatedOctober 23, 2026
Trial IDNCT05064709 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older diagnosed with symptomatic heart failure and an LVEF between 40% and 70%.

Probably not a fit

Patients with heart failure who do not meet the LVEF criteria or have not experienced recent heart failure hospitalizations may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The AIM HIGHer Clinical Trial aims to assess the safety and efficacy of Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) therapy in patients with heart failure who have a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between 40% and 70%. This multi-center, randomized, quadruple-blind, sham-controlled trial will involve approximately 150 sites in the US and 75 sites internationally. Participants will be implanted with the OPTIMIZER Smart Mini System and randomized to receive either active CCM therapy or a sham treatment for 18 months, followed by additional follow-up. The trial is designed to evaluate both functional capacity and clinical outcomes related to heart failure.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could improve heart function and quality of life for patients with heart failure.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies on cardiac contractility modulation have shown promise, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Signed and dated informed consent form;
2. Male or non-pregnant female, 18 years or older;
3. Diagnosed with symptomatic heart failure;
4. LVEF ≥40 and ≤70% (as assessed by site echo). A historical echo within 60 days of consent may be used for baseline. Ultrafiltration should not be performed within 30 days of echo;
5. Subjects must meet at least one of the four following criteria:

   I. Heart failure admission (primary or secondary) within 12 months prior to study consent OR heart failure visit requiring IV therapy OR treated with outpatient Furoscix OR intensification of oral diuresis within 6 months prior to study consent II. PCWP \> 15 mmHg up to 6 months prior to consent or within 30 days following consent III. IPAP reading of mean pressure ≥ 22 mmHg in 2 or more readings within 30 days of consent, or 3 or more readings within 60 days across different days, with a sensor implanted ≥ 3 months before first reading

   IV. Natriuretic peptide value (NTproBNP or BNP) should meet or exceed the value below, depending on the presenting rhythm:
   * Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR): NTproBNP (pg/ml) ≥ 150 or BNP (pg/ml) ≥ 50
   * Atrial Tachyarrhythmia (AT): NTproBNP (pg/ml) ≥ 450 or BNP (pg/ml) ≥ 150
   * Historical natriuretic peptide values within 6 months of consent may be used if subject is in NSR. Subjects in AT on baseline ECG must have natriuretic peptide values collected post-consent.
6. Subjects must meet one of the following conditions:

   * Have stable, scheduled oral loop diuretic treatment (not just PRN) for a minimum of 30 days before providing study consent unless there is a documented allergy or intolerance. Spironolactone used as a diuretic for patients who cannot tolerate oral loop diuretic is an acceptable alternative.
   * Eligibility for enrollment is maintained for patients on an SGLT2 inhibitor without prescribed concurrent standing loop diuretic therapy if investigators provide instructions for a flexible PRN diuretic regimen (deemed appropriate by the clinician in response to symptoms or weight gain) Note: Stable is defined as no more than a 100% increase or 50% decrease in dose within the last 30 days. A one-time hold of diuretic dosing for 24 hours during the 30-day period is allowed and not an exclusionary event.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Resting ventricular rate \<50 or \>110 bpm;
2. Resting systolic blood pressure \<100 or ≥160 mmHg;
3. BMI greater than 46
4. Any severe valvular stenotic disease or any severe valvular regurgitation;
5. Mechanical tricuspid valve;
6. Complex congenital heart disease;
7. Diagnosis of any of the following conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, contributes significantly to the primary symptoms of exercise intolerance: angina, significant pulmonary disease, or currently requires 24-hour home oxygen use or scheduled oral steroids, peripheral vascular disease, orthopedic or rheumatologic conditions;
8. Unable to walk at least 100 meters or walks more than 450 meters during a 6MWT;
9. A KCCQ CCS score higher than 85;
10. Infiltrative/restrictive (e.g., amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, Fabry, or radiation-induced heart disease), eccentric LV hypertrophy or inflammatory cardiomyopathy as documented in the medical record;
11. Unstable angina pectoris within 30 days prior to study consent;
12. Receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT); NOTE: Subjects with active/ongoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implanted more than one year ago are eligible for inclusion if they are currently classified as NYHA class III or higher.
13. Scheduled for a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous cardiac intervention (PCI) or have undergone cardiac surgery within 90 days or a PCI procedure within 30 days prior to study consent;
14. Myocardial infarction within 90 days prior to study consent;
15. Prior heart transplant or ventricular assist device;
16. Planning to become pregnant during the study;
17. Dialysis (permanent) or GFR \<15 ml/min/1.73m2;
18. Participating in another investigational drug or device study that may interfere with the interpretation of study data;
19. Currently undergoing active chemotherapeutic and/or radiation treatment for cancer or has a history of chemotherapy during the 2-year period prior to study consent;
20. Expected lifespan of less than 18 months from time of study consent;
21. Unable to follow through study protocol for any reasons (social support, incarceration, mental illness etc.) in the investigator's judgement.
22. Insurance denial (after all attempts and appeals have been exhausted, and prior-authorization services utilized, if applicable)

Where it's running

  • Grandview Medical Group Research, LLC
    Birmingham, Alabama, United States
    Recruiting
  • CardioVascular Associates of Mesa
    Mesa, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • Southwest Cardiovascular Associates
    Mesa, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • HonorHealth
    Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • Pima Heart and Vascular
    Tuscon, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of California San Diego
    La Jolla, California, United States
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
  • USC Keck School of Medicine
    Los Angeles, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cedars Sinai Medical Center
    Los Angeles, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Valley Clinical Trials- Northridge
    Northridge, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Sequoia Hospital
    Redwood City, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Nuvance Health - Danbury Hospital
    Danbury, Connecticut, United States
    Recruiting
  • Hartford Healthcare
    Hartford, Connecticut, United States
    Recruiting
  • Nouvelle Clinical Research LLC
    Cutler Bay, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Baptist Health South Florida
    Miami, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • AdventHealth Orlando
    Orlando, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Clinical One Research
    Orlando, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cleveland Clinic Foundation - Florida Weston Hospital
    Weston, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Northeast Georgia Health System
    Gainesville, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Ascension Medical Group St. Vincent
    Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Iowa
    Iowa City, Iowa, United States
    Recruiting
  • MercyOne Iowa Heart
    West Des Moines, Iowa, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Kansas Medical Center
    Kansas City, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Baptist Health Lexington
    Lexington, Kentucky, United States
    Recruiting
  • Massachusetts General Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Michigan
    Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Henry Ford St. John Hospital
    Detroit, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Ascension Providence Hospital
    Southfield, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Trinity health- Michigan Heart
    Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital
    Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
    Recruiting
  • St. Lukes Hospital Kansas City (Mid America Heart Institute)
    Kansas City, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting
  • Bryan Heart
    Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
    Recruiting
  • Our Lady of Lourdes
    Camden, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cooper Hospital- Cardiovascular Associates of Delaware Valley
    Haddon Heights, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • Atlantic Health System- Morristown Medical Center
    Morristown, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center
    Pomona, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • Buffalo General
    Buffalo, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Nuvance Health - Heart & Vascular Institute/Hudson Valley Cardiovascular Practice, PC
    Poughkeepsie, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Cleveland, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
    Columbus, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • OhioHealth Research Institute
    Columbus, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Oklahoma Heart Institute
    Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
    Recruiting
  • St. Francis Hospital - Tulsa
    Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
    Recruiting
  • Providence Heart & Vascular
    Portland, Oregon, United States
    Recruiting
  • Bryn Mawr Medical Specialists Association
    Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Penn State Hershey Medical City
    Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Temple University Hospital
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Allegheny General Hospital
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting

+17 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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  • Using Apple Watch data to predict heart failure outcomes

    This study is testing if data from Apple Watches can help predict heart failure problems and the chances of needing to go back to the hospital for patients with heart failure.

    Recruiting University Medical Center Goettingen · Goettigen, Lower Saxony · NCT06819618

  • Identifying heart tissue changes in patients with heart failure

    This study looks at changes in heart tissue of people with heart failure to see if it can help find better treatments for their condition.

    Recruiting at 6 sites Northwestern University · Chicago, Illinois and 5 other locations · NCT06517186

  • Observational study of heart failure patients in Vietnam

    This study is looking to gather information about heart failure patients in Vietnam to see how they are doing after leaving the hospital and how different treatments affect their health over time.

    Recruiting University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City (UMC) · Ho Chi Minh City · NCT06516562

  • Exploring heart health in postmenopausal women

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.