Heart pump vs. pills: which keeps End-Stage heart failure patients alive longer?

NCT ID NCT02592499

First seen Jul 06, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a mechanical heart pump called the HeartMate III (an LVAD) helps people with end-stage heart failure live longer and with fewer strokes compared to taking standard heart failure medications. About 80 adults with severe heart failure are randomly assigned to receive either the pump or optimized drug therapy. The main goal is to see who survives at two years, and the study also tracks strokes and hospitalizations.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
HeartMate III left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that an LVAD improves survival and reduces disabling strokes compared to medication alone for people with end-stage heart failure.
What could go wrong
This is a relatively small, non-blinded study, so results may not be definitive. LVADs carry risks like infection, bleeding, and device malfunction.

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

Locations

  • Karolinska Univ Hospital

    Stockholm, Sweden

  • Linköping Univ Hospital

    Linköping, Sweden

  • Sahlgrenska Univesitetssjukhustet, Transplantationscentrum

    Gothenburg, 41234, Sweden

  • Skåne University Hospital

    Lund, Sweden

  • Univ Hospital of Umeå

    Umeå, Sweden

  • Uppsala Univ Hospital

    Uppsala, Sweden

  • Örebro Univ Hospital

    Örebro, Sweden

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