Improving early diagnosis of heart failure in high-risk Canadians

Is this trial a fit for you?

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

What this trial studies

This study aims to enhance the screening process for heart failure by utilizing an electronic health records (EHR) case finding algorithm, followed by N-Terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) screening and artificial intelligence (AI) echocardiography. Participants will be randomized into two groups: one receiving standard care and the other undergoing early heart failure testing. The intervention group will have their NT-proBNP levels tested, and those with elevated levels will receive further AI echocardiogram and ECG assessments. The goal is to identify patients at risk for heart failure earlier than the standard care approach, potentially improving patient outcomes.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female \> 40 years of age
* Informed consent
* At least two additional risk factors for Heart Failure (HF):

  * Coronary artery disease (either a previous documented type 1 myocardial infarction or coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention or documented stenosis or an epicardial coronary artery (50% left main stem or \>70% left anterior descending, circumflex or right coronary artery)).
  * Diabetes type 1 or 2.
  * Persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation.
  * Previous ischemic or embolic stroke.
  * Peripheral artery disease (previous surgical or percutaneous revascularization or documented stenosis \>50% of major peripheral arterial vessel.
  * Chronic kidney disease (defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)\<60 milliliters per minute (mL/min)/1.73m2 or eGFR 60-90 mL/min/1.73m2 and urine albumin-creatinine ration (UACR) \>300mg/g).
  * Regular loop diuretic use for \>30 days within 12 months prior to consent.
  * Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) evidenced by one of the following: Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) showing airway obstruction, diagnosis of respiratory physician, CT scan reporting presence of emphysema, or treatment with national guidance advocated COPD therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to give informed consent (e.g. due to significant cognitive impairment).
* Previous diagnosis of heart failure. This is any diagnosis of heart failure with any ejection fraction of any cause.
* Renal replacement therapy.
* Anyone who, in the investigator's opinion, is not suitable to participate in the trial for other reasons e.g., a diagnosis which may compromise survival over the study period.

Where it's running

• Vancouver General Hospital
  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Recruiting
• Montreal Heart Institute
  Montreal, Quebec, Canada Not yet recruiting
• University of Sherbrooke
  Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Nathaniel M Hawkins, MD — Associate Professor of Medicine, UBC Division of Cardiology
• Study coordinator: Naomi Uchida, BSN
• Email: naomi.uchida@ubc.ca
• Phone: 16048754521

Similar studies

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

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• NT-proBNP–guided heart failure screening for people 65+ in rural China

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• Voice-based detection of heart failure deterioration using Noah Labs Vox

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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.