NCT06758128

Brief Summary

Heart failure is a major health problem with serious consequences on mortality and morbidity worldwide. In chronic heart failure an alteration of the inflammatory state occur. The aim of this study will be to describe the relationship between markers of inflammation in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, gender differences and advanced age. The study sample will include patients hospitalized in the Unit of General Medicine and Aging with a diagnosis of heart failure based on the guidelines. Clinical and demographic data will be collected from the electronic records of our hospital system. A complete history will be obtained, including the possible etiology of heart failure, cardiac and noncardiac comorbidities, all medications, intracardiac devices, and chronic oxygen treatment. All patients will be documented for peripheral edema, pulmonary rales and jugular vein distension. NYHA (New York Heart Association) class will be identified at discharge. In addition, a blood sample will be taken to obtain a complete panel including total blood count, glycemia, renal function, electrolytes and liver function tests, as per standardized clinical practice. NT-proBNP (Amino-terminal pro Natriuretic Peptide B) will be measured at admission and discharge from the hospital, as per standardized clinical practice. Echocardiograms will be performed by experienced operators of the echocardiography service of our Polyclinic, according to the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. A single additional blood sample will be collected during one of the normal routine blood draws for all immunological tests. Plasma from each participant will be isolated to determine the concentrations of several cytokines. Circulating lymphocytes will be separated according to Ficoll gradient (peripheral blood mononuclear cells, PBMC) into the two different components of immunity (B and T lymphocytes) with different inflammatory phenotypes Evaluation of enhancer (HS)1,2 polymorphisms and estrogen levels: DNA purifications and amplifications will be performed from an aliquot of the single whole blood sample collected for the evaluation of the inflammatory profile. Genomic DNA will be isolated and 9 SNPs in four specific polymorphic regions of the 3'-1 Regulatory Region (3'RR-1) of the human immunoglobulin (IgH) heavy chain locus will be sequenced. Follow-up will be performed by telephone contacting the patients or their caregivers 90 days after discharge.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
215

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for all trials

Timeline
3mo left

Started Feb 2025

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress82%
Feb 2025Sep 2026

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

December 24, 2024

Completed
10 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 3, 2025

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 4, 2025

Completed
1.4 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 15, 2026

Expected
3 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 30, 2026

Last Updated

March 27, 2025

Status Verified

December 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

1.4 years

First QC Date

December 24, 2024

Last Update Submit

March 26, 2025

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Prevalence of HS1,2 enhancer alleles of human immunoglobulin heavy chains in patients with heart failure

    Difference in the prevalence of HS1,2 enhancer alleles of human immunoglobulin heavy chains in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

    6 months

  • Inflammatory markers in heart failure

    To evaluate any differences in inflammatory markers in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and reduced ejection fraction, with particular attention to gender and age differences.

    6 months

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Genetic polymorphisms and estrogen levels

    6 months

Interventions

Echocardiograms will be performed by experienced operators of the echocardiography service. Inflammatory profile. A single additional blood sample (3 cc) will be collected. Plasma will be isolated from whole blood to determine pro-inflammatory cytokines. Immunoprofile: Circulating lymphocytes will be separated according to Ficoll gradient (into the two different components of immunity (B and T lymphocytes) with different inflammatory phenotypes. Evaluation of HS1,2 polymorphisms and estrogen levels: DNA purifications and amplifications will be performed from an aliquot of the single whole blood sample. Genomic DNA will be isolated using the QIAamp DNA Mini and Blood Mini kit (QIAGEN Hilden, Germany) according to the manufacturer's protocol. 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in four specific polymorphic regions of the 3'-1 Regulatory Region (3'RR-1) of the human immunoglobulin (IgH) heavy chain locus will be sequenced.

Also known as: Cytofluorimetric immunoprofile, Echocardiography

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
Sampling MethodProbability Sample
Study Population

The study sample will include adult patients (\>18 years) hospitalized in the Unit of General Medicine and Aging with a diagnosis of heart failure based on the guidelines on heart failure. Clinical and demographic data will be collected from the electronic records of our hospital information system. The medical record of each patient will be used to record demographic and clinical characteristics, data relating to the presentation in the Emergency Department, the evaluation and any event that occurred during hospitalization, including the conditions at discharge.

You may qualify if:

  • Adult patients (age ≥18 years) with exacerbation of chronic heart failure with reduced or preserved ejection fraction,
  • stable haemodynamic conditions, without the need for inotropic support at the time of admission to the ward,
  • signature of the informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

  • age \<18 years;
  • pregnancy;
  • acute coronary syndromes;
  • end-stage renal failure (clearance \<30 mL/min) or dialysis;
  • ongoing sepsis;
  • bed rest syndrome;
  • any concomitant neoplasm,
  • congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies (HIV, immunosuppressive drugs).

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza

San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Medicina Genarale e dell'Invecchiamento

Rome, Lazio, 00168, Italy

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Heart Failure

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Heart DiseasesCardiovascular Diseases

Study Officials

  • Rossella Cianci

    Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
observational
Observational Model
COHORT
Time Perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

December 24, 2024

First Posted

January 3, 2025

Study Start

February 4, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 30, 2026

Last Updated

March 27, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-12

Locations