Using Empagliflozin to treat heart failure in adults with congenital heart disease

Efficacy of Sodium Glucose Transporter Inhibitor (SGLT2i) in Adult Patients With Congenital Heart Disease

Phase 4 Interventional University of Pittsburgh · NCT06260059

This study is testing if the heart medication Empagliflozin can help adults with congenital heart disease feel better and improve their heart function.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Pittsburgh Academic / other
Locations3 sites (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06260059 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of Empagliflozin, a medication typically used for heart failure, in adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD). It aims to assess how this drug can improve heart function and reduce symptoms like shortness of breath in patients who have experienced a decline in their heart's ejection fraction. The study will involve administering either Empagliflozin or a placebo to eligible participants and monitoring their heart health over time. The goal is to determine if this treatment can prevent further complications associated with ACHD.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with congenital heart disease and a recent decrease in heart function.

Not a fit: Patients with diabetes or contraindications to the medication will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve heart function and quality of life for patients with congenital heart disease.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary evaluations of Empagliflozin in similar patient populations have shown promising results, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnoses of Congenital Heart Disease
* Age 18+
* ACHD level of structural complexity II or III
* Recent (\<6 months) decrease in systemic Ejection Fraction (confirmed by cardiac Echocardiogram, Computed Tomography or cMRI) to EF \< 60%
* Recent decrease in systemic ejection fraction confirmed by cardiac Echo, CT or MRI by \> 5% in the last 6 months or less.
* Must be able to complete neurocognitive assessments on a handheld computer.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with Diabetes
* Contraindication to Jardiance/Entresto or any heart failure medication (per guideline-directed therapy, 2022).
* Previous therapy with Jardiance at \<4 weeks
* Glomerular Filtration Rate \<20
* Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant in the coming year
* History of liver disease - including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cirrhosis
* History of inborn error(s) of metabolism (including but is not exclusive of Glycogen storage disease type 1)
* Glucose-galactose malabsorption, familial hyperinsulinism, maple syrup urine disease,
* Gaucher disease,
* Tay-Sachs disease,
* Mucolipidosis IV,
* Niemann-Pick disease,
* Type A mitochondrial disease,
* Metabolic disorders related to glucose metabolism

Where this trial is running

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and 2 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 Adult Congenital Heart DiseaseHeart Failurecongenital heart diseasereduced exercise capacitydecreased cardiac function
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.