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Ketones in Heart Failure - Effects on Cardiac Efficiency

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University of Aarhus

Status and phase

Completed
Phase 2

Conditions

Heart Failure, Systolic
Ketonemia

Treatments

Biological: Infusion of placebo
Biological: Infusion of 3-OHB

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT03073356
1-10-72-316-16

Details and patient eligibility

About

Ketones may have beneficial effects on myocardial metabolism and hemodynamics. In the present study, healthy test subjects and patients with heart failure with reduced ejections fraction will be investigated in a randomized cross-over design with ketone infusions and placebo. Myocardial efficiency and hemodynamics will be evaluated.

Full description

The prevalence of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is 1-2%, and the lifetime risk of heart failure at age 55 years is approximately 30%. Despite advances in treatment, hospitalization rate and mortality remains high. It is well known that myocardial metabolism changes during development of HFrEF, and may contribute to contractile dysfunction. However, the myocardium can be considered an omnivore regarding substrate utilization, conferring an important adaptive property. Hence, it metabolizes either glucose, lipids, lactate, amino acids or ketones (3-hydroxybutyrate) depending on substrate availability, hormonal status and cardiac demands. These substrates differ with regard to myocardial energy efficiency (MEE) (cardiac work related to oxygen consumption). Since high MEE is associated with a better prognosis in HFrEF, manipulating substrate uptake could be a new treatment modality in heart failure patients.

Recently, it was shown that the human myocardium increases 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) metabolism during development of HFrEF. These changes may be beneficial as 3-OHB could increase myocardial efficiency and lower oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals. However, until now this has not been investigated in clinical trials, and the effect of 3-OHB on cardiac function, oxygen consumption and perfusion remains undetermined in HFrEF patients.

In the present study the investigators will evaluate whether elevated circulating 3-OHB affect myocardial oxygen consumption, MEE and perfusion in healthy subjects and patients with HFrEF, and whether 3-OHB affect hemodynamics and contractile function.

10 healthy test subjects and 20 HFrEF patients will be subjected to placebo and 3-OHB infusion in a randomized cross-over design. Acetate-PET, echocardiography and right sided heart catheterization will be applied.

Enrollment

44 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 90 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

  • For participants with heart failure:
  • Symptoms of Heart failure NYHA 2-3
  • LVEF<40%

For all participants:

  • Negative HCG for women in the pregnant age

Exclusion criteria

  • Significant cardiac valve disease
  • Signs or history of major myocardial infarction (STEMI) within 3 months
  • Other disease or treatment making subject unsuitable for study participation
  • Treatment for diabetes or HbA1c level >7%

Trial design

Primary purpose

Treatment

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Crossover Assignment

Masking

Triple Blind

44 participants in 4 patient groups

Control - Healthy test subjects
Experimental group
Description:
Age matched subjects without symptoms of heart failure or ischemic heart disease N=10
Treatment:
Biological: Infusion of 3-OHB
Biological: Infusion of placebo
HFrEF - Heart failure patients investigated by PET
Experimental group
Description:
Patients with heart failure (HFrEF) N=12
Treatment:
Biological: Infusion of 3-OHB
Biological: Infusion of placebo
HFrEF - Right heart catheterization
Experimental group
Description:
Patients with heart failure (HFrEF) N=12
Treatment:
Biological: Infusion of 3-OHB
Biological: Infusion of placebo
HFrEF - Right heart catheterization study 2
Experimental group
Description:
Dose finding study (increasing dosage of 3-OHB)
Treatment:
Biological: Infusion of 3-OHB
Biological: Infusion of placebo

Trial contacts and locations

1

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Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

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