CSP #2025 - Geriatric OUt-of-hospital Randomized MEal Trial in Heart Failure: Veterans Affairs (GOURMET-VA)

Other illness

• Food allergies or intolerances that cannot be accommodated by study diet
• Heart transplant or active transplant listing
• Malignancy or other non-cardiac condition limiting life expectancy to \<12 months
• Severe cognitive impairment (SLUMS score \<20, or \<19 if less than high school education completed)
• Other medical, psychiatric, behavioral, or logistical condition which, in the clinical judgement of the site investigator, makes it unlikely the patient can effectively participate in or complete the study

Lab values

• Serum potassium (non-hemolyzed) \>6.0 mmol/L during index hospitalization

Other

• On dialysis or estimated glomerular filtration rate \<30 at randomization
• Left ventricular assist device present or anticipated \<6 months
• Planned admission to a skilled nursing facility following hospital discharge, or discharge to other location/situation where Veteran does not have control over diet
• Lack of space to store food for a week or equipment to prepare food
• Severe food insecurity (5 or 6 points on the USDA 6-item Food Insecurity Screen)
• Body mass index \>50 kilograms per meter squared (kg/m2)

• Veterans enrolled in a VHA facility
• Hospitalized (24 hours) with new heart failure (HF) or worsening chronic HF
• Dentition, swallowing function, etc. sufficient to safely consume food and liquid of standard composition and texture (i.e., no pureed food, no thickened liquids needed)
• Able and willing to provide informed consent and perform study activities