Oral sucrosomial iron's effect on exercise and quality of life in heart failure patients

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 investigates how oral sucrosomial iron affects exercise capacity and quality of life in patients suffering from chronic heart failure and iron deficiency. Participants will be divided into two groups, one receiving oral sucrosomial iron and the other a placebo. The primary outcomes will be measured through a six-minute walk test for exercise capacity and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire for quality of life. The study aims to determine if this new oral iron formulation can improve symptoms compared to traditional treatments.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Chronic HF (New York Heart Association \[NYHA\] functional class II-IV) patients, on optimal therapy, and clinically stable for at least 4 weeks with no dose changes of HF drugs
2. LVEF\<50% at screening visit (historical value can be used if performed within 6 months of screening visit)
3. Either a documented hospitalization for HF in the previous 12 months of enrolment or an elevated NT-proBNP: ≥250 pg/mL (or BNP ≥75 pg/mL) for patients in normal sinus rhythm; ≥1,000 pg/mL (or BNP ≥400 pg/mL) for patients in atrial fibrillation
4. TSAT \<20%
5. Hemoglobin 10.0-16.0 g/dL
6. Rapid iron repletion with intravenous iron is not considered a clinical necessity by physicians after reviewing patient medical record (if anaemia is present, its grade is no more than mild)
7. Age ≥18 years, male and female
8. Willingness to provide informed consent
9. Subjects who decide to use single or dual contraceptive methods to avoid conceiving during the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Neuromuscular, orthopedic or other non-cardiac condition that prevents the patient from exercise testing
2. Exercise training program in the previous 3 months, or planned in the next 3 months
3. Recent (\<3 month) acute coronary syndrome, coronary artery bypass surgery, percutaneous coronary interventions, transient ischemic attack, or stroke
4. Severe valvular disease, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, restrictive or constrictive cardiomyopathy, acute myocarditis
5. Atrial fibrillation or flutter with a ventricular response rate of \&gt;100 beats per minute at rest
6. Temperature ≤38 °C (oral or equivalent) or active infection as defined by current use of oral or intravenous antimicrobial agents
7. Need for blood transfusion within the last month
8. Hb\<10 g/dL or Hb\>16 g/dL
9. Rapid iron repletion with intravenous iron is considered a clinical necessity by physicians after reviewing patient medical record
10. Documented active gastrointestinal bleeding
11. Oral iron, i.v. iron or erythropoietin stimulating agent within the last 3 months
12. eGFR ≤15 mL/min or on hemodialysis
13. Chronic liver disease and/or alanine transaminase or aspartate transaminase above 3 times the upper limit of the normal range
14. Active cancer
15. Evidence of iron overload (ferritin \>400 ng/mL)
16. Hypersensitivity to any of the study products or known severe allergies
17. Participation in another study
18. Low body weight (≤35 kg)
19. Known or anticipated pregnancy in the next 4 months
20. Need for forbidden medications
21. Breastfeeding
22. Consumption of iron-rich foods or any food that alter iron absorption (i.e. food rich in vitamin C) due to dietary requirements
23. Any pathological condition or disease associated with a reduction or an impairment of intestinal iron absorption (i.e., prior gastrectomy, atrophic gastritis, bariatric surgery, coeliac disease)

Where it's running

• Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana
  Pisa, Tuscany, Italy Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Gabriele Masini, MD PhD — University of Pisa
• Study coordinator: Gabriele Masini, MD PhD
• Email: gabriele.masini@unipi.it
• Phone: 0039 050996712

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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.