Aquapheresis Efficacy in Outpatients With Decompensated Heart Failure

August 24, 2021 updated by: Ramona Gelzer Bell

Efficacy of Aquapheresis in Patients Treated as Outpatients With Decompensated Heart Failure at a Veterans Hospital

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.

Study Overview

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.

Study Type

Interventional

Phase

  • Not Applicable

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

16 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

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 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
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Aquapheresis
Per 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.
The Aquadex FlexFlow® Fluid Removal System (from CHF Solutions™, Minneapolis, MN) is an FDA approved device that provides mechanical isosmotic fluid removal in volume-overloaded CHF patients via veno-venous ultrafiltration, and has been used in patients with congestive heart failure refractory to diuretics, it should be considered standard of care also. This study is using it in a randomized, controlled study in the Outpatient setting. The Aquadex FlexFlow® Fluid Removal System is a dual rotary pump device used with a sterile, single-use UF 500 Blood Circuit Set. Blood withdrawal is usually from a peripheral arm vein (such as the antecubital vein), using a 16 or 18- gauge, 3.5 cm catheter (similar to a standard IV catheter). A similar IV catheter is used for blood return via a second peripheral vein (typically in the forearm).
Other Names:
  • Hemodialysis
  • Ultrafiltration
Active Comparator: IV Diuretics
Per 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.
Active Comparator: Intravenous Diuretics Per 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 the patient in IV arm is refractory to max 320 mg IV Lasix or 8 mg IV Bumex plus Metolazone then the patient may cross over to AQ arm.
Other Names:
  • Intravenous Diuretics

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of Hospitalizations by 7 days post-treatment
Time Frame: Between outpatient treatment and 7-days after outpatient treatment
Compare number of hospitalization readmissions for CHF between Intervention (Aquaphersis arm) & Control groups
Between outpatient treatment and 7-days after outpatient treatment
Number of Hospitalizations by 30 days post-treatment
Time Frame: Between outpatient treatment and 30 days after outpatient treatment
Compare number of hospitalization readmissions for CHF between Intervention (Aquaphersis arm) & Control groups
Between outpatient treatment and 30 days after outpatient treatment
Number of Hospitalizations by 60 days post-treatment
Time Frame: Between outpatient treatment and 60 days after outpatient treatment
Compare number of hospitalization readmissions for CHF between Intervention (Aquaphersis arm) & Control groups
Between outpatient treatment and 60 days after outpatient treatment
Number of Hospitalizations by 90 days post-treatment
Time Frame: Between outpatient treatment and 90 days after outpatient treatment
Compare number of hospitalization readmissions for CHF between Intervention (Aquaphersis arm) & Control groups
Between outpatient treatment and 90 days after outpatient treatment
Weight change by 7 days post-treatment
Time Frame: Outpatient treatment to 7 days after outpatient treatment
Compare weight change (pounds) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
Outpatient treatment to 7 days after outpatient treatment
Weight change by 30 days post-treatment
Time Frame: Outpatient treatment to 30 days after outpatient treatment
Compare weight change (pounds) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
Outpatient treatment to 30 days after outpatient treatment
Weight change by 60 days post-treatment
Time Frame: Outpatient treatment to 60 days after outpatient treatment
Compare weight change (pounds) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
Outpatient treatment to 60 days after outpatient treatment
Weight change by 90 days post-treatment
Time Frame: Outpatient treatment to 90 days after outpatient treatment
Compare weight change (pounds) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
Outpatient treatment to 90 days after outpatient treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Total fluid removal
Time Frame: Baseline (Randomization) to outpatient discharge
Compare total fluid removal (ml) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
Baseline (Randomization) to outpatient discharge
Blood urea nitrogen at Baseline
Time Frame: Baseline (Randomization)
Compare Blood urea nitrogen (BUN; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
Baseline (Randomization)
Blood urea nitrogen at 7 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 7 days after outpatient treatment
Compare Blood urea nitrogen (BUN; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
7 days after outpatient treatment
Blood urea nitrogen at 30 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 30 days after outpatient treatment
Compare Blood urea nitrogen (BUN; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse)) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
30 days after outpatient treatment
Blood urea nitrogen at 60 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 60 days after outpatient treatment
Compare Blood urea nitrogen (BUN; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
60 days after outpatient treatment
Blood urea nitrogen at 90 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 90 days after outpatient treatment
Compare Blood urea nitrogen (BUN; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
90 days after outpatient treatment
Creatinine at Baseline
Time Frame: Baseline (Randomization)
Compare Creatinine (Cr; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
Baseline (Randomization)
Creatinine at 7 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 7 days after outpatient treatment
Compare Creatinine (Cr; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
7 days after outpatient treatment
Creatinine at 30 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 30 days after outpatient treatment
Compare Creatinine (Cr; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
30 days after outpatient treatment
Creatinine at 60 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 60 days after outpatient treatment
Compare Creatinine (Cr; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
60 days after outpatient treatment
Creatinine at 90 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 90 days after outpatient treatment
Compare Creatinine (Cr; mg/dl) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
90 days after outpatient treatment
Glomerular filtration rate at Baseline
Time Frame: Baseline (Randomization)
Compare Glomerular filtration rate (GFR; ml/min/1.73 meters squared) (lower than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
Baseline (Randomization)
Glomerular filtration rate at 7 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 7 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
7 days after outpatient treatment
Glomerular filtration rate at 30 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 30 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
30 days after outpatient treatment
Glomerular filtration rate at 60 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 60 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
60 days after outpatient treatment
Glomerular filtration rate at 90 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 90 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
90 days after outpatient treatment
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test at Baseline
Time Frame: Baseline (Randomization)
Compare BNP (pg/ml of blood) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
Baseline (Randomization)
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test at 7 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 7 days after outpatient treatment
Compare BNP (pg/ml of blood) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
7 days after outpatient treatment
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test at 30 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 30 days after outpatient treatment
Compare BNP (pg/ml of blood) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
30 days after outpatient treatment
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test at 60 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 60 days after outpatient treatment
Compare BNP (pg/ml of blood) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
60 days after outpatient treatment
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test at 90 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 90 days after outpatient treatment
Compare BNP (pg/ml of blood) (higher than normal range is worse) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
90 days after outpatient treatment
6-minute Walk Test at Baseline
Time Frame: Baseline (Randomization)
Compare 6-minute Walk Test (meters/6 minutes; less distance means more disability) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
Baseline (Randomization)
6-minute Walk Test at 7 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 7 days after outpatient treatment
Compare 6-minute Walk Test (meters/6 minutes; less distance means more disability) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
7 days after outpatient treatment
6-minute Walk Test at 30 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 30 days after outpatient treatment
Compare 6-minute Walk Test (meters/6 minutes; less distance means more disability) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
30 days after outpatient treatment
6-minute Walk Test at 60 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 60 days after outpatient treatment
Compare 6-minute Walk Test (meters/6 minutes; less distance means more disability) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
60 days after outpatient treatment
6-minute Walk Test at 90 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 90 days after outpatient treatment
Compare 6-minute Walk Test (meters/6 minutes; less distance means more disability) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
90 days after outpatient treatment
Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ)
Time Frame: Baseline (Randomization)
Compare Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ) (total score; higher score means more impairment) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
Baseline (Randomization)
Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ)
Time Frame: 7 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
7 days after outpatient treatment
Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ)
Time Frame: 30 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
30 days after outpatient treatment
Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ)
Time Frame: 60 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
60 days after outpatient treatment
Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ)
Time Frame: 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
90 days after outpatient treatment
SF-36 at Baseline
Time Frame: Baseline (Randomization)
Compare SF-36 weighted sums (0-100 scale; lower score means more disability) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
Baseline (Randomization)
SF-36 at 7 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 7 days after outpatient treatment
Compare SF-36 weighted sums (0-100 scale; lower score means more disability) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
7 days after outpatient treatment
SF-36 at 30 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 30 days after outpatient treatment
Compare SF-36 weighted sums (0-100 scale; lower score means more disability) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
30 days after outpatient treatment
SF-36 at 60 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 60 days after outpatient treatment
Compare SF-36 weighted sums (0-100 scale; lower score means more disability) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
60 days after outpatient treatment
SF-36 at 90 days post-treatment
Time Frame: 90 days after outpatient treatment
Compare SF-36 weighted sums (0-100 scale; lower score means more disability) in patients between Intervention & Control groups
90 days after outpatient treatment
Adverse events: bleeding incidents during Outpatient treatment
Time Frame: Start 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.
Start of treatment to discharge, which is usually the same day, but up to 3 days post-treatment, if medically necessary.
Adverse events: line infections during Outpatient treatment
Time Frame: Start 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.
Start of treatment to up to 14 days post-treatment.
Costs
Time Frame: Baseline (Randomization) to 90 days post-discharge
Compare costs (dollars) between Intervention & Control groups
Baseline (Randomization) to 90 days post-discharge

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ramona Gelzer Bell, MD, James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital

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.

General Publications

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 (Actual)

June 8, 2021

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 27, 2021

Study Completion (Actual)

July 27, 2021

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 24, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 29, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

October 1, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 30, 2021

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 24, 2021

Last Verified

August 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

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

Yes

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

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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