Using echocardiography to improve heart care in nursing homes

Implementation and Effectiveness of Screening Echocardiography Performed in Nursing Home: ECHOGER

NA · Nantes University Hospital · NCT06445231

This study tests if using echocardiograms in nursing homes can help improve heart care and reduce hospital visits for residents with heart disease.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment1050 (estimated)
Ages65 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorNantes University Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Nantes, Loire-Atlantique)
Trial IDNCT06445231 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how implementing systematic echocardiography in nursing homes affects the management of heart diseases among residents. It involves a cluster randomized trial where nursing homes are assigned to either receive echocardiography services or continue with usual care. The goal is to evaluate the impact of echocardiography on heart failure episodes and unscheduled hospitalizations over a 12-month period. The study will include 30 nursing homes and approximately 1,050 residents, assessing various implementation characteristics and clinical outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are nursing home residents with a life expectancy of more than one year who can provide oral consent.

Not a fit: Patients who are in closed units due to severe conditions like advanced Alzheimer's disease or those without access to echocardiography may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce heart failure flare-ups and hospitalizations among nursing home residents.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar approaches in improving cardiac care, suggesting potential for success in this trial.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria :

Nursing homes residents with a life-expectancy estimated \> 1 year, and able to participate to the study, giving an oral consent

Exclusion Criteria :

* no accessible to echocardiography
* closed unit (severe Alzheimer disease…)
* recent contagious disease such Covid (\<15 days)
* no consent to participate
* no social security number

Where this trial is running

Nantes, Loire-Atlantique

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Heart Diseases, Heart Failure, Heart Valve Diseases, Echocardiography, Nursing Home, Implementation

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.