RESEARCH STUDIES

Heart Failure Research Studies

1. (HF-Action)
   
   HF-ACTION is a prospective, or forward looking, randomized* research study being conducted at multiple hospital institutions. The study is about exercise training compared to the usual care for the prevention of all hospital admissions and death in patients diagnosed with class II, III, or IV heart failure* and an ejection fraction* less than or equal to 35%. Exercise training will include 36 facility-based training sessions (including heart rate monitoring) followed by home exercise and periodic facility-based sessions along with follow up phone calls and some clinic visits. Usual care will the be the patient continuing whatever exercise program he/she is currently doing and being followed by phone calls and some clinic visits.
   
   You MAY be eligible for this study if:
   • Your left ventricular ejection fraction* is less than or equal to 35%
   • You have been diagnosed with the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II, III or IV heart failure for the previous three months, despite a minimum of 6 weeks of treatment
   
   
   
   You MAY NOT be eligible for this study if:
   • You have been diagnosed with additional diseases or behavioral or other limitations that 1) interfere with performing exercise training, or 2) prevent completion of one year of exercise
   • You have suffered a major cardiovascular event within the prior 6 weeks; and a cardiovascular procedure within the prior 6 weeks or planned in the next 6 months.
   
   
   
   
   
2. (EVEREST)
   
   EVEREST is a heart failure study for patients recently admitted to the hospital. It is multi-center, randomized*, double-blind*, placebo-controlled* study. The study drug is an oral medication taken daily. The goal of this study is to decrease hospitalizations and symptoms of heart failure. Patients start the study while in the hospital and are followed up on an out-patient basis.
   
   You MAY be eligible for this study if:
   • You are currently hospitalized for chronic heart failure with an admission up to 48 hours prior to enrolling in the research study. Chronic heart failure is defined as requiring treatment for a minimum of 30 days prior to hospitalization.
   • You have a left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40% within one year
   
   
   
   You MAY NOT be eligible for this study if:
   • You have had cardiac surgery within 60 days of potential study enrollment, excluding non-surgical cardiac interventions
   • You have been diagnosed with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction at the time of hospitalization
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. (Proclaim)
   
   The purpose of the Proclaim research study is designed to evaluate the effects and safety of an experimental drug, AC2592, which may be used to treat people with heart failure. Patient will be given medication for 8 weeks to determine if symptoms of heart failure improve.
   
   You MAY be eligible for this study if:
   • You have a certain degree of heart failure as determined by the study doctor and have the ability to perform the test that requires walking on a treadmill to the point of exhaustion.
   
   
   
   You MAY NOT be eligible for this study if:
   • You are on insulin and oral hypoglycemics
   • You weigh more than 220 pounds