Improving heart function in patients with preserved ejection fraction heart failure

Fast Induced Remodeling in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Not applicable Interventional Medtronic Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure · NCT05839730

This study is testing whether pacing therapy can help people with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction improve their exercise ability and overall health.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment105 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMedtronic Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure Industry-sponsored
Locations8 sites (Naples, Florida and 7 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05839730 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The FIRE-HFpEF study is a multi-center, prospective, randomized, single-blinded clinical feasibility study aimed at evaluating the effects of pacing therapies on exercise capacity and health status in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Up to 105 subjects will be enrolled and undergo pacemaker implantation, followed by a 6-week observation period. Participants will then be randomized to receive either pacing therapy or a control mode, with follow-up visits scheduled at 3, 6, and 9 months to assess therapy efficacy through various health metrics. The study aims to gather data on the impact of pacing on heart function and patient well-being.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with heart failure, a left ventricular ejection fraction of 55% or higher, and classified as NYHA Functional Class I-III.

Not a fit: Patients with heart failure who do not meet the inclusion criteria or have contraindications for pacemaker implantation may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved exercise capacity and overall health status for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

How similar studies have performed: While pacing therapies have been explored in various contexts, this specific approach in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of Heart Failure, Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) ≥ 55% (this and other measurements must be made within the last year).
* New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class I-III
* Stable on guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) heart failure medications as determined by the investigator, for at least 1 month, with the exception of loop diuretic therapy. GDMT should be in accordance with current American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC)/Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) Guidelines and include consideration of Sodium/glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) therapy.
* V End Diastolic Volume indexed to body surface area (BSA) ≤ 80 mL/m\^2.
* Concentric remodeling or concentric hypertrophy defined as at least one of the following criteria:

  * Left ventricular (LV) posterior or lateral wall thickness \> 11mm
  * Relative wall thickness (RWT) \> 0.42
  * Male and LV mass indexed to BSA ≥115 g/m2
  * Male and LV mass indexed to height ≥ 49.2 g/m2.7
  * Female and LV mass indexed to BSA ≥ 95 g/m2
  * Female and LV mass indexed to height ≥ 46.7 g/m2.7

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable or unwilling to undergo contrast MRI.
* Class I indication for permanent pacing, except for symptomatic chronotropic incompetence
* Current permanent or persistent Atrial fibrillation (A-fib)
* Structural heart disease requiring intervention
* Aortic valve replacement procedure less than 12 months prior to enrollment
* Known pericardial constriction, genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or infiltrative cardiomyopathy
* Severe aortic or mitral valve disease, defined as severe regurgitation or a valve area \< 1cm\^2
* Exertional angina
* Severe pulmonary disease including severe Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (i.e., requiring home oxygen, chronic nebulizer therapy, or chronic oral steroid therapy or hospitalized for pulmonary decompensation within 12 months)
* Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 25 ml/min/1.73m\^2 as calculated by the Modification in Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula
* Uncontrolled blood pressure, defined as systolic pressure outside the range of 100 to 160 mmHg despite anti-hypertensive medication.

Where this trial is running

Naples, Florida and 7 other locations

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 With Preserved Ejection FractionConcentric Hypertrophy
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.