Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

A Study Testing a New Heart Scan Method to Improve Pacemaker Treatment for Heart Failure

This study is investigating a new way to help people with heart failure who might need a special type of pacemaker treatment called Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT). CRT helps the heart pump more effectively, but it doesn't work for everyone. We're testing a new measurement from a heart scan, called EF1, which looks at how well your heart pumps. By using EF1, we hope to get better at choosing which patients will benefit most from CRT. The main aim is to see if this new EF1 measurement can accurately predict how well patients will respond to their CRT pacemaker.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

King's College London

Enrolment target

400

Start

01 Aug 2025

Estimated completion

31 Jul 2030

Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT)Heart Failure

What is this study about?

Heart failure is a condition where your heart isn't pumping blood as well as it should. For some people, medicines alone aren't enough, and they might be offered a special type of pacemaker called Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT). This pacemaker helps the different parts of your heart beat in a more organised way, which can improve its pumping ability.

While CRT can be very helpful for many, it doesn't work for everyone. This means that some people undergo the procedure but don't see the expected improvements. Because of this, doctors are always looking for better ways to figure out who will get the most benefit from CRT before they have the procedure.

This study is focusing on a new measurement called 'EF1', which comes from a regular heart ultrasound scan (echocardiogram). EF1 is a very sensitive way to look at how your heart is pumping. Researchers believe that EF1 might be a good tool to help doctors choose the right patients for CRT. The study aims to see if measuring EF1 before someone has a CRT pacemaker can predict how well they will do after getting the treatment. Ultimately, if successful, this could mean more people get the right treatment and fewer undergo a procedure that won't help them.

Key takeaways

A study testing a new way to identify ideal candidates for CRT pacemakers.
Using a heart scan measurement called EF1 to predict treatment success.
Aims to help more heart failure patients benefit from CRT.
Participation involves extra heart scans, but no new treatments or risks.
You'll still receive your usual, best possible heart failure care.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you would generally need to be an adult (18 years or older) and already be receiving the best possible medicine-based treatment for your heart failure. You would also need to meet the standard medical guidelines for a CRT pacemaker. This includes having certain symptoms of heart failure and a specific measurement of how well your heart pumps, alongside an electrical tracing of your heart (ECG) that shows a particular pattern.

There are also some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you have other serious health problems that might significantly shorten your life, or if you've had a major heart event, like a heart attack, very recently (within the last six weeks). You also wouldn't be able to participate if you have a severe problem with one of your heart valves (aortic stenosis), or if you're currently receiving certain types of heart failure medication through a drip.

Finally, the study relies on clear images from heart scans, so if your heart can't be seen clearly enough on the ultrasound, you wouldn't be able to join. You must also be able to understand and agree to take part, and not be involved in another medical study that is testing a new treatment.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you currently taking the best available medicines for your heart failure?
Has your doctor said you meet the usual criteria for a CRT pacemaker?
Have you not had a major heart event in the last 6 weeks?
Do you feel able to understand and agree to take part in a study?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

This study aims to understand how a new heart scan measurement helps predict treatment success. If you decide to take part, it would involve having the standard medical care for your heart failure and pacemaker, plus additional heart ultrasound scans to measure EF1. You would receive your CRT pacemaker as planned by your doctor. The study will then follow your progress over time, likely with your regular clinic visits, to see how your heart responds to the pacemaker treatment. The total duration of your involvement would depend on the follow-up schedule typically set by your cardiology team.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study means your heart function will be carefully monitored using a new measurement technique, which could potentially contribute to improving future heart failure treatments. You will receive your standard medical care, including your CRT pacemaker. The main 'risk' is the time commitment for additional scans, which are non-invasive and generally very safe. There are no new medications or risky procedures involved beyond your planned treatment. You are always free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is heart failure?

Heart failure means your heart isn't pumping blood as strongly as it should to meet your body's needs.

What is a CRT pacemaker?

It's a special type of pacemaker that helps the heart's different chambers beat in a more coordinated way, making it pump more efficiently.

What is an 'echocardiogram'?

It's a common and safe ultrasound scan of your heart, similar to scans used during pregnancy, that shows how your heart is working.

What is 'EF1'?

EF1 is a new, precise measurement from a heart scan that helps doctors understand how well your heart is pumping blood.

Will this study change my heart failure treatment?

No, you will receive the standard, best available treatment for your heart failure, including your CRT pacemaker if your doctor recommends it. This study is observing and collecting information.

How to find out more

Haotian Gu, PhD

haotian.gu@kcl.ac.uk +44(0)2071884700 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.