DESAL-HEART: Hypertonic Saline Added to a Pre-declared Furosemide Dose in Acute Heart Failure (DESAL-HEART)

November 4, 2026 updated by: University of Alberta

DESAL-HEART is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, mechanistic proof-of-concept trial conducted within the Heart Failure Efficacy and Research Trial (HEART) Platform. The study will evaluate whether adding a single infusion of 3% hypertonic saline solution (HSS) to a pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose improves decongestion in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Background and Rationale

Congestion is a major cause of hospitalization in patients with acute heart failure. Intravenous loop diuretics, such as furosemide, are the standard treatment for removing excess fluid, but treatment responses vary and residual congestion remains common.

Hypertonic saline may temporarily increase effective circulating blood volume, improve kidney perfusion, and enhance the delivery and effectiveness of furosemide. Although previous studies have suggested potential benefits, limitations in study quality and differences in treatment regimens have prevented definitive conclusions.

DESAL-HEART is designed to isolate the effect of hypertonic saline by ensuring that the furosemide dose is determined before randomization and administered in both treatment groups.

Study Design

A total of 60 adults hospitalized with acute heart failure and persistent congestion will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either:

A single 150 mL infusion of 3% hypertonic saline administered over 30 minutes together with a pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose; or

The same pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose alone.

Randomization will be performed centrally using REDCap, with stratification by chronic kidney disease status. The study is open-label because the control group will not receive a placebo infusion. Laboratory endpoints will be assessed objectively.

The treating clinician will determine and document the intravenous furosemide dose before randomization. Subsequent heart failure management will remain at the discretion of the treating physician.

Study Objectives and Assessments

The primary objective is to estimate the effect of hypertonic saline on NT-proBNP, a biomarker of heart failure, measured 24 ± 6 hours after randomization.

The key mechanistic secondary endpoint is spot urine sodium concentration measured 90-150 minutes after randomization, providing an early measure of the kidneys' response to diuretic treatment.

Additional assessments include:

NT-proBNP at 48 ± 6 hours after randomization.

Spot urine sodium from the first urine sample collected more than 6 hours after randomization.

Changes in body weight, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum electrolytes, and creatinine at 24 hours.

Urine output, net fluid balance, and additional decongestive treatments during the first 24 hours.

Treatment delivery, recruitment feasibility, and completeness of outcome assessments.

Safety assessments will include infusion intolerance, clinically important electrolyte abnormalities, changes in kidney function, symptomatic hypotension, worsening respiratory status, and serious adverse events. A serum sodium increase of at least 5 mmol/L from baseline or any sodium value of at least 150 mmol/L is a prespecified adverse event of special interest.

Exploratory outcomes include major adverse kidney events and days alive and out of hospital at 30 days. Additional clinical and patient-reported outcomes will be collected through the HEART Platform.

Statistical Analysis and Study Purpose

The primary analysis will use a mixed model for repeated measures to compare log-transformed NT-proBNP at 24 and 48 hours between treatment groups, adjusting for baseline NT-proBNP, site, chronic kidney disease status, age, and sex. The treatment effect will be reported as a geometric mean ratio with a 95% confidence interval.

This 60-participant study is intended to estimate the magnitude and precision of the biological treatment effect rather than establish clinical efficacy. A prespecified Green/Yellow/Red decision framework will integrate the biological signal, urine sodium response, safety, and feasibility to determine whether further investigation in a definitive clinical outcomes trial is warranted.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
60

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • Alberta
      • Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
        • University of Alberta
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 18 years or older.

  • Primary diagnosis of acute heart failure with dyspnea and at least two of the following signs of congestion:

    • Pulmonary congestion on chest radiograph.
    • Rales on chest auscultation.
    • Clinically relevant peripheral edema.
    • Elevated jugular venous pressure.

  • Randomization within 24 hours of the hospital admission order or admitted status, with admission to a hospital ward or intensive care unit, including patients remaining in the emergency department awaiting transfer.

  • Persistent congestion with a clinical plan for another intravenous furosemide dose.

  • NT-proBNP ≥1000 pg/mL, regardless of the presence of atrial fibrillation.

  • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >15 mL/min/1.73 m².

  • Serum sodium ≥125 mmol/L and <145 mmol/L.

  • Meets the eligibility requirements of the HEART Platform Master Protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Hypertonic saline already administered during the current presentation.
  • A clinical indication for therapeutic hypertonic saline.
  • Contraindication to either study treatment, including known allergy, hypersensitivity, or intolerance to hypertonic saline or furosemide.
  • Requirement for mechanical circulatory support.
  • Dialysis-dependent kidney failure or anuria (absence of urine production).
  • Treating physician's judgment that either treatment strategy is inappropriate, or any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would make participation unsafe or interfere with interpretation of study results.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Hypertonic Saline Plus Furosemide

Participants will receive a single 150 mL intravenous infusion of 3% hypertonic saline over 30 minutes, administered concurrently with a pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose. The furosemide dose will be determined by the treating clinician before randomization. Subsequent treatment will follow standard clinical care.
Drug: Hypertonic Saline (3% Sodium Chloride)

A single 150 mL intravenous infusion of 3% sodium chloride (hypertonic saline solution) administered over 30 minutes, initiated at the same time as the pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose.

Drug: Furosemide (Diuretic)

A single intravenous dose of furosemide determined and documented by the treating clinician before randomization. The same pre-declared dosing approach applies to both treatment groups. Subsequent diuretic treatment is determined by the treating physician according to standard clinical care.
Active Comparator: Furosemide Alone

Participants will receive a pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose without hypertonic saline. The furosemide dose will be determined by the treating clinician before randomization using the same dosing approach as the intervention group. Subsequent treatment will follow standard clinical care.
Drug: Furosemide (Diuretic)

A single intravenous dose of furosemide determined and documented by the treating clinician before randomization. The same pre-declared dosing approach applies to both treatment groups. Subsequent diuretic treatment is determined by the treating physician according to standard clinical care.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change From Baseline in NT-proBNP at 24 Hours
Time Frame: Baseline to 24 hours after randomization

Change in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) from baseline to 24 hours after randomization. NT-proBNP is a blood biomarker of heart failure.
Baseline to 24 hours after randomization

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Spot Urine Sodium Concentration at 90-150 Minutes
Time Frame: 90-150 minutes after randomization

Spot urine sodium concentration measured 90-150 minutes after randomization to assess the early natriuretic response to intravenous furosemide with or without hypertonic saline.
90-150 minutes after randomization
Change From Baseline in NT-proBNP at 48 Hours
Time Frame: Baseline to 48 hours after randomization

Change in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) from baseline to 48 hours after randomization to assess the persistence of the treatment effect on this heart failure biomarker
Baseline to 48 hours after randomization
Spot Urine Sodium Concentration at 6 Hours
Time Frame: First urine void more than 6 hours after randomization

Spot urine sodium concentration measured from the first urine sample collected more than 6 hours after randomization to assess the sustained natriuretic response to treatment. The actual sample collection time will be recorded.
First urine void more than 6 hours after randomization
Change From Baseline in Hemoglobin at 24 Hours
Time Frame: Baseline and 24 hours after randomization

Change in blood hemoglobin concentration from baseline to 24 hours after randomization, measured using routine complete blood count testing.
Baseline and 24 hours after randomization
Change From Baseline in Hematocrit at 24 Hours
Time Frame: Baseline and 24 hours after randomization

Change in hematocrit from baseline to 24 hours after randomization, measured using routine complete blood count testing
Baseline and 24 hours after randomization
Change From Baseline in Body Weight at 24 Hours
Time Frame: Baseline and 24 hours after randomization

Change in body weight from baseline to 24 hours after randomization to assess fluid removal and decongestion.
Baseline and 24 hours after randomization
Total Urine Output Through 24 Hours
Time Frame: Randomization through 24 hours

Total recorded urine output during the first 24 hours after randomization to assess the diuretic response to treatment.
Randomization through 24 hours
Net Fluid Balance Through 24 Hours
Time Frame: Randomization through 24 hours

Net fluid balance, calculated as total recorded fluid intake minus total recorded fluid output during the first 24 hours after randomization.
Randomization through 24 hours
Total Furosemide-Equivalent Dose Through 24 Hours
Time Frame: Randomization through 24 hours

Total furosemide-equivalent diuretic dose administered during the first 24 hours after randomization, including the pre-declared study dose and subsequent diuretic treatments.
Randomization through 24 hours
Other Decongestive Therapies Through 24 Hours
Time Frame: Randomization through 24 hours

Use of additional decongestive therapies during the first 24 hours after randomization, including treatments administered at the discretion of the treating physician.
Randomization through 24 hours
Change From Baseline in Serum Sodium
Time Frame: Baseline and 24 hours

Change in serum sodium concentration from baseline to 24 hours after randomization.
Baseline and 24 hours
Change From Baseline in Serum Chloride
Time Frame: Baseline and 24 hours

Change in serum chloride concentration from baseline to 24 hours after randomization.
Baseline and 24 hours
Change From Baseline in Serum Potassium
Time Frame: Baseline and 24 hours

Change in serum potassium concentration from baseline to 24 hours after randomization.
Baseline and 24 hours
Change From Baseline in Serum Bicarbonate
Time Frame: Baseline and 24 hours

Change in serum bicarbonate concentration from baseline to 24 hours after randomization.
Baseline and 24 hours
Change From Baseline in Serum Creatinine
Time Frame: Baseline and 24 hours

Change in serum creatinine concentration from baseline to 24 hours after randomization to assess kidney function.
Baseline and 24 hours

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Alberta

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
University Hospital Foundation
Canadian VIGOUR Centre

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 1, 2027

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
July 1, 2030

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 1, 2031

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
November 4, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 4, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
November 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
November 10, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 4, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
November 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • DESAL-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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