Exercise Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Obesity Associated Heart Failure

Launched by UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER GRONINGEN · Jul 16, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The EXPOSURE study is a clinical trial designed to better understand how certain types of fat around the heart affect its function in people with heart failure that preserves the heart's ability to pump blood (known as HFpEF). Researchers will use specialized imaging (called cardiac magnetic resonance, or CMR) to observe how the heart performs both at rest and during exercise. This study hopes to shed light on how epicardial fat (fat located on the heart) influences heart function and blood flow in the lungs.

To participate in this trial, individuals must be between 65 and 74 years old, show symptoms of heart failure, and meet specific heart function criteria. Participants should be able to perform a bicycle exercise test and must be willing to sign a consent form. However, people who weigh more than 140 kg, have certain heart rhythm issues, or other significant heart problems may not be eligible. Those who join the study can expect to undergo heart imaging tests while they rest and exercise, providing valuable data to advance our understanding of heart failure related to obesity.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Signs and symptoms of HF according to the Europeans Society of Cardiology guideline.
• • 2. LV ejection fraction ≥40%.
• • 3. HFA-PEFF score ≥5 or HFA-PEFF score 2-4 in combination with positive stress test (Figure 1).
• • 4. \>18 years of age
• • 5. In sinus rhythm
• • 6. Able to perform a bicycle exercise test
• • 7. Willing to sign informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Body weight \>140 kg
• • 2. Atrial fibrillation or other significant arrhythmia during the assessment
• • 3. Contraindications for CMR (e.g. claustrophobia, implanted cardiac devices)
• • 4. Myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft \<3 months or untreated severe obstructive coronary artery stenosis
• • 5. More than moderate left-sided valve disease.
• • 6. Complex congenital heart disease.