Studying Eye Blood Vessel Images in People With Heart Failure
Uses eye imaging to look at blood vessels in adults with heart failure.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Novel Clinical Utility of Retinal Imaging in Patients With Heart Failure
Key facts
- Where
- Cleveland, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- Cleveland ClinicCleveland, United StatesNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- The Cleveland Clinic
- Trial code
- NCT05086978
- Record updated
- 22 July 2026
- Original description
Endothelial dysfunction and microvascular disease have been shown to play an important role in both the development and progression of heart failure. Retinal imaging provides a unique opportunity to non-invasively assess retinal microcirculation. Leveraging the non-invasiveness and relative ease of use of retinal imaging, we propose to investigate its clinical utility in assessing endothelial/microvascular dysfunction across the spectrum of heart failure. We aim to test the hypothesis that the degree of abnormality in retinal vessels is associated with heart failure disease severity, endothelial/microvascular dysfunction, and, potentially, treatment responses.Read full original descriptionShow less
Novel Clinical Utility of Retinal Imaging in Patients With Heart Failure: A Pilot Study
Endothelial dysfunction and microvascular disease have been shown to play an important role in both the development and progression of heart failure. Retinal imaging provides a unique opportunity to non-invasively assess retinal microcirculation. Leveraging the non-invasiveness and relative ease of use of retinal imaging, we propose to investigate its clinical utility in assessing endothelial/microvascular dysfunction across the spectrum of heart failure. We aim to test the hypothesis that the degree of abnormality in retinal vessels is associated with heart failure disease severity, endothelial/microvascular dysfunction, and, potentially, treatment responses.
Inclusion: 18 years or above; have been diagnosed with HF of any etiology or healthy control; able to provide informed consent and comply with study protocol; able to undergo retinal evaluation using a handheld, automated, non-mydriatric retinal camera; and able to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion: pregnancy or planned pregnancy; photosensitive epilepsy; significant ophthalmologic conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, blindness, or progressive diabetic retinopathy; having undergone retinal laser photocoagulation; any condition which, in the judgment of the investigator, would place a patient at undue risk by being enrolled in the trial, or cause inability to comply with the study.