Evaluation of Circulating Levels of Adult Stem Cells in the Peripheral Blood of Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Following Stabilization, in Comparison With Healthy Volunteers (CIRCSTEM-HF)

June 2, 2015 updated by: Prof Henry Krum, Monash University

Despite advances in medical technology, heart failure remains a major cause of illness on a global scale. Medical research, over recent years, has shown that adult stem cells (as opposed to embryonic stem cells) are present in most organs of adult humans. Their exact function is however poorly understood. An improved understanding of what these stem cells do and how they work is essential if effective stem cell treatments are to be developed in future.

The project seeks to examine the levels of a number of different types of stem cells in patients with heart failure, compared to healthy volunteers. The project also aims to measure stem cell levels in patients with heart failure at the time of a sudden worsening in their condition and then later in the same patients following recovery.

The project entails the taking of blood samples in order to measure the stem cell levels in the blood. The study does NOT involve any form of treatment with stem cells. Two groups of patients will be studied; patients with heart failure and healthy volunteers.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Despite advances in medical technology, heart failure remains a major cause of illness on a global scale. The quest for understanding this condition and developing new treatment strategies has led to the consideration of stem cells as a possible therapy. Medical research, over recent years, has shown that adult stem cells (as opposed to embryonic stem cells) are present in most organs of adult humans. Their exact function is however poorly understood. An improved understanding of what these stem cells do and how they work is essential if effective stem cell treatments are to be developed in future.

A number of stem cell research groups around the world have found that adult stem cells circulate in the blood of humans. These circulating cells are likely to have entered the bloodstream from the bone marrow and are thought to be traveling in the blood to get to other body organs where they may help repair damaged tissue. Interestingly, the levels of these circulating stem cells have been found to be different in healthy people compared to those with various diseases, including heart attacks and heart failure. This has lead researchers to think that these stem cells may play an important role in how the human body fights these diseases.

To date, levels of only one type of stem cell have been measured in patients with heart failure. Also, no one has studied stem cell levels in patients with heart failure at the time of a sudden worsening in their condition and then later in the same patients following recovery. This information would be very valuable in expanding scientific knowledge of these stem cells and how they behave in the different stages of heart disease.

The project seeks to examine the levels of a number of different types of stem cells in patients with heart failure, compared to healthy volunteers. The project also aims to measure stem cell levels in patients with heart failure at the time of a sudden worsening in their condition and then later in the same patients following recovery.

The project entails the taking of blood samples in order to measure the stem cell levels in the blood. The study does NOT involve any form of treatment with stem cells. Two groups of patients will be studied; patients with heart failure and healthy volunteers. Following the obtainment of informed consent, a screening history, physical examination and routine blood tests will be performed. After this, a 50ml sample of blood will be taken from the study participant. This is equivalent to 10 teaspoonfuls of blood. The 50ml blood sample obtained will then be taken immediately to the laboratory for analysis.

In the case of patients with heart failure, in order to measure stem cell blood levels after recovery, one additional blood sample will be obtained; a 50ml blood sample just before the patient is sent home from hospital.

Patients with heart failure will be identified by health care staff at the Alfred Hospital. Healthy volunteers will be identified by use of a database of healthy volunteers who have expressed interest in participating in clinical studies. Potential study participants will be initially approached and provided with written information. If the potential participant wishes to proceed with the study, this involves one outpatient hospital visit for healthy volunteers. For patients with heart failure, the study involves two visits by study staff during the hospital admission.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

30

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

  • Australia
    • Victoria
      • Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3004
        • Alfred Hospital

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

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Acute decompensated heart failure and healthy volunteers.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Men or women 18 years or older
  • Hospitalized for the management of ADHF or diagnosed with ADHF within 48 hours after being hospitalized for another reason (patients/cases ONLY)
  • Signed (by the subjects or their legally acceptable representatives) informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Hospitalized for > 48 hours before study enrollment
  • Likely to be discharged from the hospital in 24 hours or less
  • Current haematological disorder or haematological malignancy
  • Active infection / sepsis
  • Major organ insufficiency (other than heart failure in heart failure patients)
  • Pregnancy
  • Healthy volunteers found to have signs and/or symptoms of heart failure on screening.

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

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Healthy volunteers
Acute decompensated heart failure

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Change in circulating levels of adult stem cells in the peripheral blood of patients with acute decompensated heart failure and following stabilization, in comparison with healthy volunteers.
Time Frame: Baseline and following stablization of heart failure
Baseline and following stablization of heart failure

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Monash University

Collaborators

The Alfred

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

December 1, 2009

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2011

Study Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 4, 2009

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 7, 2009

First Posted (Estimate)

December 8, 2009

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

June 4, 2015

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 2, 2015

Last Verified

June 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 234/07

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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