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Aquapheresis Efficacy in Outpatients With Decompensated Heart Failure

Not Applicable
Withdrawn
Conditions
Heart Failure
Congestive Heart Failure
Decompensated Heart Failure
Interventions
Device: Aquapheresis
Drug: IV Diuretics
Registration Number
NCT04572867
Lead Sponsor
Ramona Gelzer Bell
Brief Summary

With this research the Investigators hope to learn if early aquapheresis in an outpatient setting will improve congestive heart failure symptoms in outpatients with decompensated heart failure who have been refractory to high dose diuretics. In previous trials in inpatient settings, aquapheresis has been demonstrated to improve quality of life and reduce hospital visits for those who have undergone the treatment. This study is one of the first to evaluate the effectiveness of aquapheresis in veterans with congestive heart failure in an outpatient setting.

The aquapheresis device, Aquadex FlexFlow® System, manufactured by CHF Solutions™, Minneapolis, MN, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for removing excess sodium and fluid from patients suffering from volume overload, like in congestive heart failure.

Detailed Description

Congestive heart failure (CHF) affects nearly 2% of the U.S. population, with almost 1 million hospital admissions for acute decompensated CHF annually. Congestive heart failure is the most frequent cause of hospitalization in patients over the age of 65. Patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) have a high 6-month readmission rate for acute CHF, ranging from 23% to 40% in different studies. It is estimated that 25 to 30% of these patients are diuretic resistant with 50% of patients losing less than 5 lbs. from admission weight and 20% actually gaining weight during the hospitalization.

Although loop diuretics have not been shown to improve survival in patients with CHF, they effectively alleviate symptoms of congestion. Diuretics have been part of standard CHF therapy in all recent survival trials of β-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers. Loop diuretics have been shown to be the most effective diuretics as single agents in moderate to severe heart failure. However, loop diuretics may be associated with increased morbidity and mortality attributable to deleterious effects on neurohormonal activation, electrolyte balance, and cardiac and renal function.

Removal of excessive fluid in patients with CHF is usually achieved by a combination of fluid and salt restriction and loop diuretics, but in some cases volume overload persists. Diuretic resistance is common, especially after chronic exposure to loop diuretics; patients require escalating doses (PO or IV to bypass delayed absorption in gut due to bowel edema), addition of another diuretic that works on different part of renal tubules (i.e. Thiazides) +/- diuretic drip and, if still refractory, ultimately Aquapheresis (a form of ultrafiltration).

Aquapheresis (AQ) compared to IV diuretics in the UNLOAD Trial (10), AQ safely produced greater weight loss, fluid removal, and reduction in 90-day readmission rate compared to IV diuretic. A meta-analysis of 10 randomized control trials (RCTs) showed AQ not only to be effective but safe. These observations suggest that a strategy of early ultrafiltration may improve responsiveness to diuretics, quicker weight loss, decrease hospitalization, readmission to hospital, ER or doctor visits with minimal risks. As result of these trials, American Hospital Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC)/Heart Failure Society of American (HFSA) guidelines state it is reasonable to start Aquapheresis in patients with obvious volume overload or patients who are refractory to high dose diuretics (IIa, LOE B). Moreover, while this therapy is part of standard of care in an inpatient setting, many hospitals as a result of Affordable Care Act (ACA), have taken to AQ on an outpatient setting to further decrease the burden and attended cost associated with management of CHF. But the Investigators are unaware of any other prospective outpatient studies that have looked at the outcomes and cost effectiveness of aquapheresis.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
WITHDRAWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
Not specified
Inclusion Criteria

Subjects must be 18 years of age or older already on standard of care therapy including Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE-I), Angiotensin

Receptor Blockers (ARBs), Sacubitril/Valsartan, beta-blocker, oral diuretic (80 mg Lasix/2 mg Bumex/40 mg Torsemide+/-Thiazide diuretic), and meet the following inclusion criteria to be enrolled:

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. CHF refractory to oral diuretic (80mg Lasix, 2mg Bumex, or 40mg Torsemide)

  2. Volume overload secondary to systolic or diastolic HF, evidenced by at least 2 of the following:

    1. Elevated BNP (>100)
    2. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea or orthopnea
    3. Elevated jugular venous distention (>/ 7 cm)
    4. X-ray findings consisted with CHF
    5. Presence of ascites or LE edema . -
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Acute Coronary Syndrome
  2. Hypertensive urgency or emergency
  3. Rapid atrial fibrillation difficult to control
  4. Contraindication to anticoagulation
  5. Pregnancy
  6. Requires hemodialysis (> CR > 3.0 mg/dl)
  7. Symptomatic hypotension
  8. Poor venous access
  9. Pressor dependent. -

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
AquapheresisAquapheresisPer protocol, if randomized to Aquapheresis arm (AQ), all diuretics are discontinued and AQ will be administered as per established protocol. BMP and CBC will be checked prior to initiation and as needed, 7-10 days, 30, 60 and 90 days post discharge. Note, aquapheresis rate is to be decreased by 100 cc/hr if Hgb increases by 1gm/dL, and stopped if rate is decreased to 50 cc/hr or reaches euvolemia, whichever comes first.
IV DiureticsIV DiureticsPer protocol (Fig 2), if randomized to IV diuretic therapy arm (IV), the patient will receive initial dose of IV diuretic based on base line renal function; then the dose will be doubled every 2 hrs if refractory, to a maximum of 8mg IV Bumex (or 320mg IV Lasix). Metolazone may be added at 2.5mg PO 30 minutes before loop diuretic if CR\< 2.0, or 5mg PO if Cr \> 2.0, if refractory to high dose loop diuretic. If a patient in IV arm is refractory to maximum 320 mg IV Lasix or 8 mg IV Bumex plus Metolazone then the patient may cross over to AQ arm.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of Hospitalizations by 60 days post-treatmentBetween outpatient treatment and 60 days after outpatient treatment

Compare number of hospitalization readmissions for CHF between Intervention (Aquaphersis arm) \& Control groups

Number of Hospitalizations by 90 days post-treatmentBetween outpatient treatment and 90 days after outpatient treatment

Compare number of hospitalization readmissions for CHF between Intervention (Aquaphersis arm) \& Control groups

Weight change by 7 days post-treatmentOutpatient treatment to 7 days after outpatient treatment

Compare weight change (pounds) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Weight change by 30 days post-treatmentOutpatient treatment to 30 days after outpatient treatment

Compare weight change (pounds) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Weight change by 60 days post-treatmentOutpatient treatment to 60 days after outpatient treatment

Compare weight change (pounds) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Weight change by 90 days post-treatmentOutpatient treatment to 90 days after outpatient treatment

Compare weight change (pounds) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Number of Hospitalizations by 7 days post-treatmentBetween outpatient treatment and 7-days after outpatient treatment

Compare number of hospitalization readmissions for CHF between Intervention (Aquaphersis arm) \& Control groups

Number of Hospitalizations by 30 days post-treatmentBetween outpatient treatment and 30 days after outpatient treatment

Compare number of hospitalization readmissions for CHF between Intervention (Aquaphersis arm) \& Control groups

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Glomerular filtration rate at 30 days post-treatment30 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Glomerular filtration rate (GFR; ml/min/1.73 meters squared) (lower than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Glomerular filtration rate at 60 days post-treatment60 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Glomerular filtration rate (GFR; ml/min/1.73 meters squared) (lower than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Total fluid removalBaseline (Randomization) to outpatient discharge

Compare total fluid removal (ml) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Blood urea nitrogen at BaselineBaseline (Randomization)

Compare Blood urea nitrogen (BUN; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Blood urea nitrogen at 7 days post-treatment7 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Blood urea nitrogen (BUN; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Blood urea nitrogen at 30 days post-treatment30 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Blood urea nitrogen (BUN; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse)) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Blood urea nitrogen at 60 days post-treatment60 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Blood urea nitrogen (BUN; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Blood urea nitrogen at 90 days post-treatment90 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Blood urea nitrogen (BUN; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Creatinine at BaselineBaseline (Randomization)

Compare Creatinine (Cr; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Creatinine at 7 days post-treatment7 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Creatinine (Cr; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Creatinine at 30 days post-treatment30 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Creatinine (Cr; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Creatinine at 60 days post-treatment60 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Creatinine (Cr; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Creatinine at 90 days post-treatment90 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Creatinine (Cr; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Glomerular filtration rate at BaselineBaseline (Randomization)

Compare Glomerular filtration rate (GFR; ml/min/1.73 meters squared) (lower than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Glomerular filtration rate at 7 days post-treatment7 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Glomerular filtration rate (GFR; ml/min/1.73 meters squared) (lower than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Glomerular filtration rate at 90 days post-treatment90 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Glomerular filtration rate (GFR; ml/min/1.73 meters squared) (lower than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test at BaselineBaseline (Randomization)

Compare BNP (pg/ml of blood) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test at 7 days post-treatment7 days after outpatient treatment

Compare BNP (pg/ml of blood) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test at 30 days post-treatment30 days after outpatient treatment

Compare BNP (pg/ml of blood) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test at 60 days post-treatment60 days after outpatient treatment

Compare BNP (pg/ml of blood) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test at 90 days post-treatment90 days after outpatient treatment

Compare BNP (pg/ml of blood) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

6-minute Walk Test at BaselineBaseline (Randomization)

Compare 6-minute Walk Test (meters/6 minutes; less distance means more disability) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

6-minute Walk Test at 7 days post-treatment7 days after outpatient treatment

Compare 6-minute Walk Test (meters/6 minutes; less distance means more disability) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

6-minute Walk Test at 30 days post-treatment30 days after outpatient treatment

Compare 6-minute Walk Test (meters/6 minutes; less distance means more disability) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

6-minute Walk Test at 60 days post-treatment60 days after outpatient treatment

Compare 6-minute Walk Test (meters/6 minutes; less distance means more disability) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

6-minute Walk Test at 90 days post-treatment90 days after outpatient treatment

Compare 6-minute Walk Test (meters/6 minutes; less distance means more disability) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ)90 days after outpatient treatment

Compare Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ) (total score; higher score means more impairment) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

SF-36 at BaselineBaseline (Randomization)

Compare SF-36 weighted sums (0-100 scale; lower score means more disability) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

SF-36 at 7 days post-treatment7 days after outpatient treatment

Compare SF-36 weighted sums (0-100 scale; lower score means more disability) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

SF-36 at 30 days post-treatment30 days after outpatient treatment

Compare SF-36 weighted sums (0-100 scale; lower score means more disability) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

SF-36 at 60 days post-treatment60 days after outpatient treatment

Compare SF-36 weighted sums (0-100 scale; lower score means more disability) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

SF-36 at 90 days post-treatment90 days after outpatient treatment

Compare SF-36 weighted sums (0-100 scale; lower score means more disability) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups

Adverse events: bleeding incidents during Outpatient treatmentStart of treatment to discharge, which is usually the same day, but up to 3 days post-treatment, if medically necessary.

Compare number of Adverse Events (bleeding incidents) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups: bleeding, line-related infection, etc.

Adverse events: line infections during Outpatient treatmentStart of treatment to up to 14 days post-treatment.

Compare number of Adverse Events (line infections) in patients between Intervention \& Control groups: bleeding, line-related infection, etc.

CostsBaseline (Randomization) to 90 days post-discharge

Compare costs (dollars) between Intervention \& Control groups

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