Screening for advanced heart failure in stable outpatients

Screening for Advanced Heart Failure IN Stable ouTpatientS (The SAINTS Study) - Early Identification of Advanced Heart Failure

Observational Rigshospitalet, Denmark · NCT05299879

This study is trying to find out how many patients with heart failure have advanced heart failure by screening them in clinics and looking at their treatment options.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment400 (estimated)
Ages19 Years to 74 Years
SexAll
SponsorRigshospitalet, Denmark Academic / other
Locations6 sites (Copenhagen and 5 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05299879 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The SAINTS study aims to determine the prevalence of advanced heart failure in symptomatic patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. It will involve screening patients in Danish heart failure clinics using echocardiography and other assessments. The study will analyze the proportion of patients who meet the criteria for advanced heart failure and track subsequent management options such as heart transplantation and LVAD implantation. Statistical analyses will be performed to compare various health metrics between patients with and without advanced heart failure.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients with chronic heart failure for more than 3 months, in stable condition, classified as NYHA functional class II-III, and with reduced ejection fraction.

Not a fit: Patients with severe comorbidities, such as those on chronic renal replacement therapy or with a life expectancy of less than one year, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to earlier identification and treatment of patients with advanced heart failure, improving their outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in identifying advanced heart failure using similar screening methods, indicating that this approach is promising.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. History of Chronic heart failure \> 3 months
2. Stable (no hospitalization last 3 months) NYHA functional class II-III
3. HFrEF patients (Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 30%)
4. On or attempted betablocker and Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) inhibitor treatment
5. Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Body Mass Index (BMI) \> 40 kg/m2
2. Chronic renal replacement therapy or estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) \< 15 ml/min/1.73m2
3. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) implantation \< 3 months ago or planned CRT
4. Severe primary valvular disease
5. On waiting list for heart transplantation or referred for evaluation
6. Cancer or other severe non-cardiac disease with estimated life expectancy less than 1 year

Where this trial is running

Copenhagen and 5 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 Reduced Ejection FractionAdvanced heart failureScreening
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.