Using ketone supplements to treat patients with acute heart failure

Exogenous KETOne Supplements in Patients Hospitalized for Acute Heart Failure. A Randomized Clinical Trial (KETO-AHF)

This study is testing if a ketone supplement can help people in the hospital with acute heart failure feel better and improve their heart function compared to a placebo.

Quick facts

• Phase: PHASE2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 250 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Aarhus (other)
• Locations: 8 sites (Aalborg and 7 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06653725 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigates the efficacy of exogenous dietary ketone supplements containing 1,3-butanediol in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF). The study aims to determine if these supplements can improve clinical outcomes by enhancing organ perfusion and cardiac function. Participants will receive either the ketone supplement or a placebo over a 30-day period, with the primary hypothesis being that the ketone treatment will yield better results compared to placebo. The trial addresses a critical need for new therapies in AHF, where current treatments have not demonstrated survival benefits.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who are hospitalized with acute heart failure and exhibit worsening symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients with stable heart failure or those not experiencing acute exacerbations may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve clinical outcomes and survival rates for patients with acute heart failure.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of ketone supplements in heart failure is emerging, this specific approach with 1,3-butanediol in acute heart failure is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

The study will enroll adult patients (≥18 years) admitted with AHF as the primary diagnosis, meeting all the following criteria:

1. Documented new or worsening symptoms due to heart failure with at least one of the following: persistent dyspnea at rest or with minimal exertion, or fatigue.
2. Objective evidence of worsening heart failure, consisting of at least two physical examination findings consistent with fluid retention and/or end-organ hypoperfusion or one physical examination finding and at least one laboratory criterion:

   a) Physical examination findings considered to be due to heart failure, including new or worsened: i. Peripheral edema ii. Increasing abdominal distention or ascites (in the absence of primary hepatic disease) iii. Pulmonary rales/crackles/crepitations iv. Increased jugular venous pressure and/or hepatojugular reflux v. S3 gallop vi. Clinically significant or rapid weight gain thought to be related to fluid retention b) Laboratory evidence of worsening HF, if obtained within 24 hours of presentation, including: i. Increased B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) / N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) concentrations consistent with decompensation of heart failure. In patients with chronically elevated natriuretic peptides, an increase of \>30% above baseline should be noted.

   ii. Radiological evidence of pulmonary congestion iii. Echocardiographic criteria include: Dilated inferior vena cava with minimal collapse on inspiration; decreased left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) minute stroke distance (velocity time integral \[VTI\]); septal or lateral E/e' \>15 or \>12, respectively; D-dominant pulmonary venous inflow pattern.

   iv. Invasive diagnostic evidence with right heart catheterization showing a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ≥18 mmHg, central venous pressure ≥12 mmHg, or a cardiac index \<2.2 L/min/m2
3. Treatment with at least 40 mg of intravenous furosemide or its equivalent and/or intravenous vasoactive drugs and/or inotropic drugs.
4. An LVEF of ≤35% is required, measured during the present hospitalization.
5. Participants must present with elevated levels of natriuretic peptides, specifically NT-proBNP ≥600 pg/mL or BNP ≥150 pg/mL. For those in atrial fibrillation at the time of inclusion, NT-proBNP levels must be ≥900 pg/mL or BNP ≥225 pg/mL.

The enrollment window extends to the first five days of the hospital stay.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current hospitalization for AHF triggered by significant arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation/flutter with sustained ventricular response \>110 beats per minute, clinically significant bradycardia, or sustained ventricular tachycardia)
2. Cardiogenic shock in INTERMACS level 1 or 2 (i.e. unstable hemodynamics despite inotropic/vasopressor therapy)
3. Likelihood or current use of mechanical circulatory support
4. Recent cardiac surgery within 3 days
5. Ongoing severe infection or sepsis, severe anemia, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary embolism, or cerebrovascular accident
6. Significant primary valvular disease (hemodynamically severe uncorrected primary cardiac valvular disease)
7. Planned implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy device
8. eGFR \<15 mL/min/1.73 m2 during current hospitalization (unless ongoing continuous renal replacement therapy) or recurring dialysis
9. Known obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, acute mechanical cause of acute heart failure (e.g., papillary muscular rupture), acute myocarditis, or constrictive pericarditis according to the treating physician
10. Type 1 diabetes
11. Advanced liver disease (Child-Pugh class C)
12. Dementia or other cognitive disorder making the patient unable to give informed consent
13. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
14. Inability to intake oral substances or severe dysphagia
15. Significant gastrointestinal disease (i.e. severe inflammatory bowel disease or gastric ulcer)
16. Adherent to a ketogenic diet within 30 days of enrollment
17. Awaiting cardiac transplantation
18. Very severe lung disease and/or treatment with continuous home oxygen therapy
19. Major comorbidity, medical condition, or health issue that, according to the investigator's judgment, would hinder the participant's capacity to engage in or successfully finish the study

Where this trial is running

Aalborg and 7 other locations

• Department of Cardiology, Aalborg University Hospital — Aalborg, Denmark (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital — Aarhus N, Denmark (RECRUITING)
• Department of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital — Copenhagen, Denmark (RECRUITING)
• Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet — Copenhagen, Denmark (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• Department of Cardiology, Gødstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark — Herning, Denmark (RECRUITING)
• Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre Hospital — Hvidovre, Denmark (RECRUITING)
• Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital — Odense, Denmark (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• Department of Cardiology, Viborg Hospital — Viborg, Denmark (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Kristoffer Berg-Hansen, MD, PhD — Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital
• Study coordinator: Kristoffer Berg-Hansen, MD, PhD

Conditions: Acute Heart Failure, Acute heart failure, Ketone supplements, Ketones, 3-hydroxybutyrate, 1,3-butanediol, six-minute walk test, win ratio