Understanding muscle blood flow in heart failure patients
Official title: Mechanisms of Impaired Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow and Exercise Intolerance in Veterans With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Efficacy of Knee Extensor Training
Run by VA Office of Research and Development · NCT05115890 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 35 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Salt Lake City, Utah) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 1, 2022 |
| Main results expected | July 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | February 29, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | April 21, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05115890 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with HFpEF classified as NYHA functional class II or III.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with prior ejection fractions below 50% or those with significant comorbidities may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: Previous studies have indicated that exercise training may enhance peripheral vascular function in HFpEF, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
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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
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Raising pacemaker heart rate during light exercise to lower left-heart pressures in HFpEF
This test will try whether temporarily increasing the heart rate by adjusting pacemaker settings during light exercise can lower left-heart filling pressures and improve cardiac output in people with HFpEF who already have a DDD pacemaker.
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Adding macitentan to dapagliflozin for people with HFmrEF/HFpEF and combined pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension
This test will see if adding macitentan to dapagliflozin helps adults with HFmrEF or HFpEF who also have combined pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension.
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Identifying predictors of poor prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
This study is trying to find out which factors can help predict bad outcomes for people with heart failure who have preserved ejection fraction.
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Triple-drug therapy (ARNI + SGLT2 inhibitor + MRA) for advanced HFpEF
This study will test whether giving an ARNI together with an SGLT2 inhibitor and an MRA helps people with advanced HFpEF stay healthier over 52 weeks compared with individualized medical therapy.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.