Finding hidden early heart failure in at-risk adults in major German cities using mobile MRI
A Prospective, Cross-sectional, Nationwide Community-based Observational Study to Determine the Prevalence of Unrecognized Heart Failure Among Patients at Risk in Urban Areas Across Germany Using CMR
This project will test whether a mobile, telemedicine‑supervised screening using cardiac MRI, lab tests, and questionnaires can find hidden (asymptomatic) heart failure in adults aged 40–69 with heart risk factors living in large German cities.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 600 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years to 69 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | German Heart Institute Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Berlin) |
| Trial ID | NCT07185100 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
WE-CARE-HF-CMR is a nationwide, cross-sectional observational program that plans to screen 600 asymptomatic adults aged 40–69 who have risk factors for heart failure. Screening combines a needle‑free, stress‑free cardiac MRI performed in mobile MRI truck units, standardized laboratory tests, and questionnaire-based medical history collected under telemedical supervision. Examinations will be deployed at multiple clinics in five German metropolitan areas (>1,000,000 residents) with emergency backup available at those locations. Results will be compared with data from the HERZCheck rural cohort to explore differences in prevalence between urban and rural populations and to test the feasibility of a mobile CMR screening workflow.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are asymptomatic men or women aged 40–69 who have one or more risk factors (diabetes, chronic kidney disease stage III or higher, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, or smoking) and can attend a mobile MRI visit in a participating major city.
Not a fit: People with a prior diagnosis of heart failure or reduced ejection fraction, standard MRI contraindications (e.g., pacemaker, certain implants), those outside the 40–69 age range, or who cannot attend the mobile units are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could detect asymptomatic heart failure earlier in at-risk urban adults and support earlier preventive care to slow or prevent progression.
How similar studies have performed: Community screening efforts such as the HERZCheck rural program exist and provide comparative data, but large-scale, mobile CMR screening in urban populations is relatively novel and not yet widely tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Asymptomatic subjects with: * chronic diabetes mellitus (known/diagnosed and/or antidiabetic medication and/or elevated HbA1C) and/or * renal impairment (known/diagnosed CKD and/or in laboratory CKD III° or higher) and/or * Hypertension (known/diagnosed and/or antihypertensive medication/treatment) and/or * Hypercholesterolaemia (known/diagnosed and/or antilipid medication/treatment) and/or * Obesity (known/diagnosed and/or BMI \> 30 (kg/m²)) and/or * Smoker (known/diagnosed and/or current/previous and/or medication/treatment) * Age 40-69 years * female or male or diverse sex * Ability to provide informed consent * Provision of Informed Consent Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to provide written informed consent * Diagnosed heart failure or previously detected reduced ejection fraction * General MRI exclusion criteria (pacemaker, defibrillator, intracranial aneurysm clips, metallic foreign bodies in the eyes) * Any MRI exclusion criteria not listed here, as determined by the MRI laboratory performing the procedure * Haemodynamically unstable participants (heart rate \< 45/min, systolic blood pressure \< 90 mmHg) * Claustrophobia * Sensorineural hearing loss of 30 dB or more and tinnitus * Acute mental disorders requiring therapy * In the presence of pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Berlin
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité — Berlin, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sebastian Kelle, Prof. Dr. — Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité
- Study coordinator: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Kelle
- Email: sebastian.kelle@dhzc-charite.de
- Phone: +493045931182
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.