Understanding muscle blood flow in heart failure patients
Mechanisms of Impaired Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow and Exercise Intolerance in Veterans With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Efficacy of Knee Extensor Training
This study is testing how exercise training can improve blood flow to muscles and help Veterans with heart failure feel better and exercise more easily.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 35 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Salt Lake City, Utah) |
| Trial ID | NCT05115890 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind inadequate skeletal muscle blood flow and exercise intolerance in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), particularly among Veterans. The study compares these patients to healthy controls and assesses the effects of an 8-week exercise training program on muscle blood flow and exercise tolerance. By examining peripheral vascular control mechanisms, the research aims to identify potential improvements in physical activity capacity for those affected by HFpEF.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with HFpEF classified as NYHA functional class II or III.
Not a fit: Patients with prior ejection fractions below 50% or those with significant comorbidities may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved exercise tolerance and quality of life for patients with HFpEF.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that exercise training may enhance peripheral vascular function in HFpEF, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older and able to give written informed consent * New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or III * Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) \> 50% * Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) \>200 pg/mL or NT-proBNP 400 pg/mL at enrollment Exclusion Criteria: * Prior EF of \<50%. * NYHA Class IV or HF that cannot be stabilized on optimized pharmacotherapy * Acute coronary syndrome, infiltrative cardiomyopathy, or myocarditis * Patients with HFpEF secondary to significant uncorrected primary valvular disease (except mitral regurgitation secondary to left ventricular dysfunction) * Orthopedic limitations that would prohibit knee-extensor exercise * Women currently taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will be excluded from the proposed studies due to the direct vascular effects of HRT * Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, but the typical age of female patients with HFpEF will be postmenopausal * Current smokers
Where this trial is running
Salt Lake City, Utah
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT — Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kanokwan Bunsawat, PhD — VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT
- Study coordinator: Kanokwan Bunsawat, PhD
- Email: Kanokwan.Bunsawat@va.gov
- Phone: (801) 582-1565
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.