HF Patients With LVADs Being Treated With SGLT2i

Heart Failure Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices Being Treated With Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors

The main purpose of this study is to observe outcomes of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in heart failure (HF) patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: SGLT2i; Other: No SGLT2i

Detailed Description

The exact mechanism of cardiovascular benefit from SGLT2i continues to be the source of further research. The investigators hypothesize that heart failure patients with LVADs will similarly benefit from the SGLT2i-associated natriuresis and diuresis, which in turn reduces preload. This is further associated with reduced heart failure readmissions and right ventricular failure. Additionally, the animal models indicating reduced cardiac work and remodeling in this population may benefit these patients as one of the goals of LVAD implantation is to reduce cardiac energy expenditure and promote remodeling and recovery in these patients.

This is a prospective, randomized controlled study to assess cardiac benefit of SGLT2i in 40 consecutive patients with heart failure undergoing LVAD implantation. After routine LVAD implantation, patients will be randomized 1:1 to one of two routine care arms: management with an SGLT2i [empagliflozin 10 milligram (mg) daily or dapagliflozin 10 mg daily, based on formulary coverage] or no SGLT2i. The patient's treating physician will be able to override randomization assignment if they determine that the assignment is not in the patient's best interest. SGLT2i management (if applicable) and follow-up care will be dictated by routine care. Data will be collected from the subject's medical record for 6 months.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 32
• Phase: Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Illinois
    • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60637
      • University of Chicago

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 14 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. LVAD implantation
2. Have not already been prescribed management with an SGLT2i
3. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 30 milliliters(ml)/minute(min)/1.73 meter(m)2
4. Age ≥ 18 years-old
5. Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes mellitus
2. eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2
3. Age < 18 years-old

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: SGLT2i; Participants will be asked to take an SGLT2i for 6 months. The SGLT2i and heart failure care will be managed according to routine care, and data will be collected from the participant's medical record.	Drug: SGLT2i; empagliflozin (10 mg daily) or dapagliflozin (10 mg daily), depending on formulary coverage
Active Comparator: No SGLT2i; Participants will not be asked to take an SGLT2i. Heart failure care will be managed according to routine care, and data will be collected from the participant's medical record.	Other: No SGLT2i; No SGLT2i

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Change in Left Ventricular End-diastolic Dimension (LVEDD)	6 months after pre-LVAD

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Weight Change		6 months after pre-LVAD
Diuretic Dose	Diuretic Dose at 6 months in PO lasix equivalents	6 months after pre-LVAD
LVEF (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction)		6 months after pre-LVAD
RV (Normal Right Ventricular) Size		6 months after pre-LVAD
Creatitine		6 months after pre-LVAD
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase/SGPT)		6 months after pre-LVAD
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase/SGOT)		6 month after pre-LVAD
Total Bilirubin (Bili)		6 month after pre-LVAD
Alk Phos (Alkaline Phosphatase/ALP)		6 month after pre-LVAD

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Chicago
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Mark Belkin, MD, University of Chicago

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 8, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 31, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): August 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 4, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 4, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): March 15, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 3, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 8, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: left ventricular assist device; SGLT2i
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Heart Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Heart Failure
• Other Study ID Numbers: IRB21-1986

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: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: Yes