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 type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 1500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Impulse Dynamics Industry-sponsored |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 67 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 66 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 3, 2022 |
| Main results expected | February 1, 2029 |
| Study ends | February 1, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | October 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05064709 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
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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
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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
- Principal investigator: Javed Butler, MD, MPH, MBA — Baylor Scott and White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas
- Study coordinator: Gary Cranke
- Email: aimhigher@impulsedynamics.com
- Phone: (856) 642-9933
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.