RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Feasibility and Pilot Testing of "My Heart and CKD" Online Shared Decision Aid

This study is looking at a new online tool called 'My Heart and CKD'. Many people with kidney disease also have heart problems. When facing heart treatments, it's really important for patients and their doctors to understand the good points and the risks, especially for those with kidney issues. This tool is designed to help doctors give clear, personal information about different heart procedures, like angiograms or surgery. It also helps patients share what's important to them, so decisions are made together. This study will check how well this tool works in hospitals in Canada, helping more people get the right care that fits their individual needs and wishes.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Calgary

Enrolment target

220

Start

01 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

Chronic Kidney Disease Coronary Artery Disease

What is this study about?

When you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), it's quite common to also have heart disease. Deciding on the best way to treat heart problems can be tricky, because some tests and treatments, like angiograms or surgery, might carry slightly higher risks for your kidneys. This means it's super important for you and your doctor to talk through all the different options, understanding both the potential benefits for your heart and any possible risks to your kidneys.

That's where this new online tool, 'My Heart and CKD', comes in. It's been created based on lots of research with patients like you and their doctors. The tool is designed to help doctors explain complex medical information in a way that's easy to understand. It also helps you think about what matters most to you, so you can clearly tell your doctor your preferences. This way, you can work together to make a heart treatment decision that's truly personal and right for you.

This study is a pilot test, which means it's a first step to see how well 'My Heart and CKD' works in everyday hospital settings in Canada. By carefully watching how doctors and patients use this tool, we hope to learn how it can best help people with kidney and heart disease make fully informed choices about their care. The main idea is to make sure your treatment plan isn't just medically sound, but also fits with your personal values and what's important to your quality of life.

Key takeaways

This study tests a new online tool called 'My Heart and CKD'.
It helps people with kidney and heart disease make joint decisions with their doctors.
The tool provides clear information on benefits and risks of heart treatments.
It also helps patients share what's important to them to guide choices.
No new medicines or invasive procedures are part of the study; it focuses on decision support.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 or older. You must have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and also have coronary artery disease (a type of heart disease). This includes if you've recently had a heart attack that wasn't very severe, or if you have ongoing symptoms of stable heart disease.

You also need to be able to speak and understand English or French, either by yourself or with the help of someone who can translate for you. Your doctor will also need to confirm that you, or a trusted person making decisions for you, can take part in discussions about your care.

However, you can't join if your kidney failure is very advanced and you are already on dialysis, or if your kidney function is extremely low (meaning your eGFR is less than 10). If you've had a very severe type of heart attack (called ST-elevation myocardial infarction) or if doctors don't expect you to survive your hospital stay, you also won't be able to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have chronic kidney disease AND coronary artery (heart) disease?
Can you understand and speak English or French (or have someone who can help you)?
Are you not currently on dialysis or in the very late stages of kidney failure?
Have you not had a very severe type of heart attack called STEMI?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is focused on how an online tool helps you and your doctor make decisions. If you take part, you'll mainly be using the 'My Heart and CKD' decision aid with your healthcare team. This involves looking at information about your heart condition and kidney disease, understanding the pros and cons of different heart treatments, and helping you think about what matters most to you. The goal is to support conversations so you can make a joint decision with your doctor about your heart care. There are no new medications or special treatments involved, just using this tool to guide your discussions. The study will look at how useful the tool is during your hospital stay.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of joining this study is that the 'My Heart and CKD' tool could help you feel more informed and involved in decisions about your heart treatment, ensuring your choices align with your personal values. It aims to improve communication between you and your doctor. There are no direct medical risks as this study involves a decision-making tool, not a new treatment. However, as with any study, there's always a small chance that using the tool might not be helpful for everyone. You are free to stop participating at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (2)

Foothills Medical Centre
Verified postcode
Calgary, Canada· Recruiting
University of Alberta Hospital
Verified postcode
Edmonton, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'My Heart and CKD'?

It's an online tool designed to help people with kidney and heart disease, and their doctors, make informed choices about heart treatments by explaining risks and benefits.

Why is this tool needed?

Because heart and kidney disease together can make treatment decisions complicated, and it's important to consider both your heart and kidneys. This tool helps ensure decisions are personal.

Will I take any new medicines in this study?

No, this study is about using a decision tool to help you discuss treatment options with your doctor, not about new medicines or experimental procedures.

Who developed this tool?

It was developed based on research with patients who have kidney disease and their doctors, to make sure it addresses their real-life needs and concerns.

What if I decide the tool isn't for me?

You are always free to stop using the tool or participating in the study at any point, and your medical care will not be affected.

How to find out more

Pantea Javaheri, MRSc

pantea.javaheri@ucalgary.ca 1 (403) 220 2465 Official trial record

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