21-Protein blood test aims to spot hidden heart failure in the ER
NCT ID NCT04886128
First seen Jul 06, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study aims to improve how doctors diagnose acute heart failure in the emergency department. Currently, diagnosis can be slow and uncertain because symptoms like shortness of breath are vague. Researchers are testing a blood test that measures 21 different proteins to see if it can more accurately identify heart failure, helping patients get the right treatment sooner. The study involves adults who come to the ER with shortness of breath and are being checked for heart failure.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- multi-marker blood test (21 proteins)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this blood test could help doctors diagnose acute heart failure faster and more accurately in the emergency room, leading to quicker treatment.
- What could go wrong
- This is a diagnostic study, not a treatment. The test may not prove accurate enough in practice, and it is still being developed and validated.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
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