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Search / Trial NCT06081543

Ketogenic Diet vs Mixed Diet in Patients With Heart Failure

Launched by OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · Oct 7, 2023

Trial Information

Current as of June 26, 2025

Recruiting

Keywords

Ketogenic Diet Heart Failure

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of two different diets on exercise tolerance in people with heart failure who have a normal pumping function, as well as diabetes, pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or obesity. Specifically, the trial compares a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (which is high in fats and low in carbs) to a low-fat mixed diet. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two diets and will be monitored over time to see how each diet affects their ability to exercise.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be between 18 and 80 years old and have stable heart failure symptoms for at least three months. They should also have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher, which indicates they are overweight or obese, or have type 2 diabetes. Participants will need to be able to undergo exercise tests and commit to following the diet they are assigned. This study is currently recruiting participants, and those interested will need to give their consent and meet the specific health criteria to join.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

  • Inclusions:
  • 1. Age ≥ 18 years old and ≤ 80 years old \& willingness to be randomized to either diet.
  • 2. NYHA class I - III for at least 3 months.
  • 3. Ejection fraction ≥40% by biplane 2D, or 3D echo, or CMR
  • 4. Echo findings of abnormal or indeterminant diastolic function or right heart catheterization (RHC) data: At rest: mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) \> 15 mmHg. pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) \< 3 Wood Units.
  • 5. Stable medical therapy for at least 3 months as determined by the treating physician (no new cardiac or diabetic medications within 3 months of enrollment or during enrollment and dosage should be stable for 1 month prior to enrollment).
  • 6. Dose of oral diuretics changes allowed but must be stable for 1 week prior to randomization.
  • 7. Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 25 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or prediabetes (fasting glucose of 100 - 125 mg/dL or glycated hemoglobin (A1C) 5.7-6.4% or metabolic syndrome.
  • 8. Ability to participate in exercise treadmill testing.
  • 9. Ability to sign written consent.
  • Exclusions:
  • 1. Women who are pregnant, current breast-feeding, or have intention to become pregnant while in the study.
  • 2. Known allergy or sensitivity to gadolinium-based contrast agents.
  • 3. Implanted pacemaker, cardioverter defibrillator, Cardiac resynchronization therapy, left ventricular assist device.
  • 4. Other metallic implants/aneurysm clips that are contraindicated in MRI.
  • 5. Claustrophobia
  • 6. History of severe kidney disease of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \<30 ml/kg/1.73m2.
  • 7. Type I diabetes.
  • 8. History of diabetic ketoacidosis.
  • 9. Prior diagnosis of oxygen dependent pulmonary disease.
  • 10. Body Mass Index (BMI) \< 25.
  • 11. Recent acute myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome (30 days).
  • 12. Or recent (within 30 days) or planned (within 30 days) cardiac revascularization History of left main disease, severe triple vessel disease, coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
  • 13. Left ventricular ejection fraction \< 50%.
  • 14. Uncontrolled systemic systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (DBP) hypertension (SBP \>180 or DBP \>110 mmHg).
  • 15. Severe stenotic or regurgitant valvular heart disease, expected to lead to surgery during the study period.
  • 16. Persistent atrial fibrillation.
  • 17. History of uncontrolled or untreated ventricular arrhythmias.
  • 18. Cardiovascular diseases or treatments that increase the unpredictability of or change the subject's clinical course, independent of heart failure.
  • 19. Heart transplant or listing for heart transplant.
  • 20. Cardiomyopathy based on infiltrative diseases (e.g. amyloidosis), accumulation diseases (e.g. haemochromatosis, Fabry disease), muscular dystrophies, cardiomyopathy with reversible causes (e.g. stress cardiomyopathy), hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy or known pericardial constriction.
  • 21. Acute decompensated heart failure requiring intravenous diuretics, vasodilators, inotropic agents or mechanical support within 1 week of screening and during the screening period prior to randomization.
  • 22. Hemoglobin of \<9 g/dL at screening.
  • 23. Major surgery (major according to the investigator's assessment) performed within 90 days prior to screening, or major scheduled elective surgery (e.g. hip replacement) within 90 days after screening.
  • 24. Acute or chronic liver disease, defined by serum levels of transaminases or alkaline phosphatase more than three times the upper limit of normal at screening.
  • 25. Gastrointestinal surgery or gastrointestinal disorder that might interfere with diet. Prior bariatric surgery allowed if weight-stable for past 3 months.
  • 26. Any documented active or suspected malignancy or history of malignancy within 2 years prior to screening, except appropriately treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin, in situ carcinoma of the uterine cervix, or low-risk prostate cancer (subjects with pre-treatment prostate-specific antigen levels of \<10 ng/mL, and biopsy Gleason scores of ≤6 and clinical stage T1c or T2a).
  • 27. Presence of any disease other than heart failure that results in a life expectancy of \<1 year (in the opinion of the investigator).
  • 28. History or recurrent severe hypokalemia, potassium \< 3.0 mg/dL.
  • 29. Current enrollment or completion within 30 days of an investigational device or drug study.
  • 30. Chronic alcohol or drug abuse or any condition that, in the investigator's opinion, will make the subject unlikely to fulfill the study requirements or complete the trial.
  • 31. Any other clinical condition that might jeopardize subject safety during participation in this study or prevent the subject from adhering to the study protocol.
  • 32. Unable or unwilling to follow guidelines of assigned diet group, including inability to purchase food.
  • 33. Unable to participate in the comprehensive diet program, including biometric data acquisition and data entry.
  • 34. The subject cannot currently be on a low-carb diet plan. 30-day washout would be required.
  • 35. Patient has to have stable weight over the past 3 months (± 5% total body weight). If no weight was recorded in the past 3 months, will have 1 month lead in time for wash out.
  • 36. Refusal to consent.

About Ohio State University

The Ohio State University (OSU) is a leading research institution dedicated to advancing health and science through innovative clinical trials. With a commitment to improving patient care and outcomes, OSU leverages its extensive resources, interdisciplinary collaboration, and expertise in diverse medical fields. The university fosters an environment of rigorous scientific inquiry, ensuring that clinical trials are conducted with the highest ethical standards and adherence to regulatory guidelines. Through its Clinical Trials Office, OSU aims to translate groundbreaking research into practical applications, benefiting both local and global communities.

Locations

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Patients applied

0 patients applied

Trial Officials

Yuchi Han, MD, MMSc

Principal Investigator

Ohio State University

Timeline

First submit

Trial launched

Trial updated

Estimated completion

Not reported