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Advanced Heart Imaging to Better Detect Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Studies advanced heart scans to better detect heart failure in adults with unclear symptoms.

Key facts

Who runs it
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Where
Sheffield, United KingdomSee the 2 sites
Trial code
Registry title
The Use of Advanced Imaging in HFpEF
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
40 people, planned
Started
5 Aug 2025
Expected to end
30 Sept 2027
Type of study
Observational, 2 groups
Treatments tested
  • Advanced imaging
  • SGLT-2 inhibitor
Record updated
18 March 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with shortness of breath on exertion and a raised NTproBNP whose heart failure diagnosis is still unclear after first tests.

Age
Over 18 years
Sex
All sexes
Disease stage
Unclear diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction; enlarged left atrium (LA>34 ml/m2) on heart ultrasound, but not meeting the current criteria for HFpEF or HFrEF (preserved LV systolic function, normal E/e', no LVH, estimated PAP < 35mmhg).
Earlier treatment
Not currently using, and not planning to use, SGLT2 inhibitors.
Biomarker or test result
NTproBNP >400 ng/L in sinus rhythm.

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Cannot give informed consent
  • History of HFrEF
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Current anginal chest pain
  • Contraindication to SGLT2 inhibitors (type 1 diabetes, ketoacidosis, allergy, active genital infection)

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 8 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Male or female > 18yrs of age
  • Symptoms of dysponea on exertion
  • NTproBNP >400 ng/L in sinus rhythm (SR)
  • Baseline TTE demonstrating a dilated LA (LA>34 ml/m2), but that otherwise does not meet the current criteria for the diagnosis of HFpEF or HFrEF (preserved LV systolic function, Normal E/e', no evidence of LVH, Estimated PAP < 35mmhg)

Who cannot take part

  • Inability to give informed consent. History of HFrEF
  • contraindications to SGLT2 inhibitor (a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus, ketoacidosis, allergy to SGLT2 inhibitors, planned or current use of SGLT2 inhibitors or active genital infection)
  • Current history of anginal chest pain
  • Atrial Fibrillation

Where in United Kingdom

  • Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustSheffield, United KingdomContact: Helen DenneyTaking people
  • University of SheffieldSheffield, United KingdomContact: Rebecca Gosling Dr GoslingNot yet recruiting

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) causes symptoms of breathlessness and leg swelling. It is associated with significant number of hospital admissions and could lead to the patient's death. In HFpEF, the pumping function of the heart is normal but the heart is too stiff to fill properly. The first line investigation is an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography). A number of parameters are assessed that indicate stiffness within the heart or raised pressures within the heart. However, most of these parameters lack sensitivity which can make HFpEF difficult to diagnose. The best test is to invasively measure the pressures in the heart at rest and with exercise in a procedure called heart catheterisation. However, this is invasive and not readily available. As a result, HFpEF is significantly under diagnosed meaning many patients do not get access to disease specific treatment that may improve symptoms and quality of life. There are a number of new imaging techniques that may help us to better identify HFpEF . However, it is not currently known how to best apply them in clinical practice.

Read full original descriptionShow less

In this study, the investigators will recruit patients presenting to the HF clinic at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals who have symptoms of HFpEF but whose diagnosis remains unclear after initial assessment. The impact of their symptoms will be assessed with the use of a quality of life (QoL) questionnaires and a six-minute walk test (6MWT). They will undergo advanced imaging with a specialist echocardiogram and a cardiac MRI scan. If they are found to have features of HFpEF, they will be started on disease specific treatment. All patients will be followed up after six months to see if they have any symptomatic or functional improvement. They will also undergo repeat imaging to see if there has been any change in the imaging parameters.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • No therapy intervention

    cMRI \& TTE, no further intervention

    Treatment: Advanced imaging

  • Therapy intervention

    cMRI \& TTE, SGLT-2 inhibitor therapy

    Treatment: Advanced imaging and SGLT-2 inhibitor

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

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Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Assessing the Ability to Improve the Diagnosis of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Using Advanced Imaging Techniques
Plain-language title
Advanced Heart Imaging to Better Detect Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection FractionGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Record updated
18 March 2026