RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Characteristics, Phenotypes, and TRAITS of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (TRAITS-HFpEF)

The TRAITS-HFpEF study is looking into a specific type of heart failure called Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). With HFpEF, your heart struggles to pump blood effectively, leading to symptoms like breathlessness, tiredness, and swollen ankles. At the moment, we don't fully understand why people get HFpEF, and there aren't many effective treatments available. This study aims to discover more about HFpEF by collecting information from people attending a special heart failure clinic. Researchers want to find out what causes it, develop new tests and treatments, and learn about the long-term health of people living with this condition. The goal is to improve care for future patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

1,250

Start

12 Aug 2022

Estimated completion

01 Oct 2029

Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)

What is this study about?

Imagine your heart as a pump that sends blood around your body. In a condition called Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), your heart still pumps, but not as efficiently as it should. This can make you feel out of breath, tired, and cause your feet or ankles to swell. Scientists still don't fully understand why people develop HFpEF, and there aren't many good treatments available right now. This means HFpEF is a big challenge in heart health, and doctors are keen to find better ways to help patients.

The TRAITS-HFpEF study is a really important project because it's trying to get a clearer picture of HFpEF. By carefully gathering details from many patients over time, researchers hope to learn why this condition happens. They want to identify different groups of patients with HFpEF, as the condition can affect people in various ways. Understanding these differences could lead to new tests that accurately spot the problem and new treatments that are specially designed for different groups of patients.

Ultimately, this study aims to improve the lives of people with HFpEF. By learning more about the condition, from why it develops to how it progresses, the information gathered will help guide future research and improve the specialist care that patients receive. This is a step towards ensuring that everyone with HFpEF gets the most effective and personalised treatment possible.

Key takeaways

TRAITS-HFpEF aims to understand why people get a type of heart failure called HFpEF.
The study hopes to find new tests and treatments for HFpEF.
It involves routinely collecting health information during your normal clinic visits.
Giving a blood sample is optional and not required to participate.
Your involvement helps improve future care for people with HFpEF.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for volunteers who are already attending the special HFpEF clinic at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).

To join, you must be 18 years old or older. You also need to be able to fully understand the study information and give your consent (permission) to take part in English, either by writing or speaking.

Unfortunately, if you are under 18, or if you are in prison, you won't be able to join this study.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you attend the specialised HFpEF clinic at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT)?
Can you understand information about the study and give your permission (consent) in English?
Are you not currently in prison?

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

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, it's quite straightforward. The researchers will routinely collect information about your health during your regular visits to the special HFpEF clinic at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). This includes details about your condition, your symptoms, and any treatments you are receiving, which your doctors would be recording anyway.

Optional Blood Sample: You will be asked if you are happy to provide a small blood sample (about two teaspoons, or 10ml) on one occasion. This sample will be stored in a 'biobank' for future research, to look for new markers in your blood or even your DNA that could help us understand HFpEF better. Giving this blood sample is completely optional, and you can still take part in the study even if you prefer not to give one.

There are no extra visits or special assessments required specifically for this study beyond your usual clinic appointments. You won't be given any new medications as part of the study itself. Your involvement will continue for as long as you attend the HFpEF clinic, as the researchers will be routinely collecting data over a 5-year period for all participants.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might not directly benefit you personally, as it's an observational study where researchers gather information. However, the information collected could greatly help doctors understand HFpEF better in the future, leading to improved care and new treatments for others. The main risk involves giving an optional blood sample, which carries a small risk, like mild bruising or discomfort at the time of the blood draw. Remember, taking part is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Manchester University NHS Foundation trust
Manchester, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is HFpEF?

HFpEF stands for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction. It's a type of heart failure where your heart doesn't pump blood as effectively as it should, even though it may appear to be pumping strongly.

Will I get new treatment in this study?

No, this study doesn't involve any new treatments or medicines. It's about collecting information from your regular clinic visits to learn more about HFpEF.

Do I have to give a blood sample?

No, giving a blood sample is completely optional. You can still participate in the study even if you prefer not to give one.

How long will I be in the study?

Your information will be collected during your regular visits to the HFpEF clinic for as long as you attend. The overall study plans to collect data for 5 years.

Will my regular medical care be affected?

No, your decision to take part or not, and any decision to withdraw, will not affect the usual medical care you receive from your doctors.

How to find out more

Fardad Soltani, MBChB, MRCP

fardad.soltani@mft.nhs.uk 0161 291 3223 Official trial record

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