Drug Research Study for Heart Failure Patients

Study Summary

The University of Chicago and Dr. Allen Anderson are conducting a research study for patients who are hospitalized and have been diagnosed with having acute decompensated heart failure or ADHF. ADHF is the inability of the heart to pump efficiently, which can result in symptoms like shortness of breath at rest or with minimal activity. Acute decompensated heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot perform the necessary circulation of blood through the body.

This study is being done to find out if the drug that is being researched as compared to placebo (dummy pill or an inactive substance which looks like the real drug) plus the usual treatment for acute decompensated heart failure helps improve your breathing difficulties, helps reduce the chance that you will be readmitted to the hospital, and helps subjects live longer. The study drug is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of heart failure.

You will be in the study for about 180 days (six months). You will be screened to see if you qualify for participation. If you do, you will be randomized (like the flip of a coin) to study drug or placebo. Some of the procedures that may be done during the study include physical examinations, medical history, blood and urine testing, and questionnaires.

Benefits

You may not benefit directly from this research. However, the medical knowledge obtained from this study may be of considerable benefit to help treat patients with heart failure in the future.

Participation Details

Initial selection criteria include:

• Must be age 18 years or older
• Must be hospitalized for the management of ADHF
• Females of child-bearing potential must have a negative blood pregnancy test in order to participate.
• Must be available for clinic visits for the duration of the study
• Must meet study medical criteria as evaluated by Dr. Anderson

Study Director: Dr. Allen Anderson
Department: Cardiology

For more information contact:
lbond@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
(773) 702-6385

IRB: #15496A