Salt pills could boost heart failure treatment, small trial hints

NCT ID NCT04334668

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether giving oral salt tablets alongside standard IV diuretics helps hospitalized heart failure patients lose more fluid and maintain better kidney function. About 67 adults with acute decompensated heart failure will receive either salt or placebo three times daily for about 4 days. The goal is to see if this simple addition improves weight loss and creatinine levels.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

oral sodium chloride (table salt)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to improve fluid removal and protect kidneys during heart failure treatment.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase study with only 67 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Adding salt could also worsen fluid overload in some patients.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

congestive heart failure Edema heart failure

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Cleveland Clinic

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States