Tiny heart implant aims to unclog lungs and save lives in advanced heart failure
NCT ID NCT07696975
First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026
Summary
This study tests a small, hourglass-shaped device implanted in the heart's upper chambers to lower pressure and reduce fluid buildup in the lungs. It is for people with advanced heart failure whose heart pumps weakly (ejection fraction 40% or less). The trial randomly assigns some participants to receive the shunt and others to a placebo procedure, then tracks hospitalizations and survival over several years.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- V-Wave Ventura interatrial shunt
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this device could reduce hospitalizations and improve survival for people with advanced heart failure and reduced pumping function.
- What could go wrong
- This is a mid-stage trial with 250 participants. The device involves a heart procedure with risks like bleeding or infection. Previous results were mixed, so success is not guaranteed.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 250 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Sep 2031
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Heart failure with a reduced LV ejection fraction (≤40%) and documented heart failure for at least 6 months from Baseline Visit. 2. NYHA Class III symptoms 3. Receiving guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) for heart failure which refers to those HF drugs carrying a Class I indication: 1. An inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS inhibitor), including an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and an evidence-based beta-blocker (BB) for at least 3 months prior to the Baseline Visit 2. An SGLT2I Inhibitor for at least 1 month prior to the Baseline Visit 3. Other medications recommended for selected populations, e.g., on diuretics as required for volume control. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) or nitrates/hydralazine should be used in appropriate patients, according to the published guidelines. 4. All patients are on stable HF medications as determined by the investigator, for at least 1 month, with the exception of diuretic therapy. Stable is defined as no more than a 100% increase or 50% decrease in dose within these periods. 4. Receiving Class I recommended cardiac rhythm management device therapy. Specifically: if indicated by class I guidelines, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or a pacemaker should be implanted at least 3 months prior to Baseline Visit. 5. Must meet 5a OR 5b. 1. One (1) prior Heart Failure Hospitalization with duration \>24 hours or Emergency Room Heart Failure Visit with duration ≥6 hours, or Heart Failure Clinic ADHF Visit with duration ≥6 hours, within 12 months from Baseline Visit. 2. Alternatively, if patients have not had a HF hospitalization or ER HF Visit within the prior 12 months, they must have a BMI corrected elevated Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) level of at least 300 pg/ml or an N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) level of at least 1,500 pg/ml, according to local measurement, within 3 months of the Baseline Visit. 6. Able to perform the 6-minute walk test with a distance ≥100 meters and ≤450 meters. 7. Provide written informed consent for study participation and be willing and able to comply with the required tests, treatment instructions and follow-up visits. Main Exclusion Criteria: * Resting systolic blood pressure \<90 or \>160 mmHg * Baseline echocardiographic evidence of intracardiac blood clot, significant right ventricular dysfunction or severe left sided dilation. * Diagnosis of severe pulmonary hypertension. * Congenital Atrial septal defect, patent foramen ovale, with known shunting on echo * Untreated moderately severe or severe aortic or mitral stenosis. * Mitral valve repair device (e.g. MitraClip) implanted within 3 months prior to Baseline Visit. * Acute MI, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), rhythm management system revision (not including generator change), lead extraction, or cardiac or other major surgery within 3 months of Baseline Visit. * Stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), systemic or pulmonary thromboembolism, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) within 6 months. * Intractable HF with any of the following: Treatment with IV vasoactive medications (e.g., IV inotropes, IV vasodilators) within the last 30 days. Treated with a ventricular assist device (VAD). Listed for cardiac transplantation. * Prior cardiac transplantation. * Life expectancy \<1 year due to non-cardiovascular illness. * Kidney failure or is receiving dialysis. * Active infection requiring parenteral or oral antibiotics. * Known allergy to nickel. * Hemodynamic, heart rhythm or respiratory instability at the time of Final Exclusion Criteria.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Heart failure and reduced ejection fraction are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a single gene infusion rebuild failing hearts?
- Can a diabetes drug help heart failure patients walk farther?
- Blood and scans may predict heart recovery in severe heart failure
- Breathing muscle training may boost heart failure recovery
- Smartwatches may help heart patients avoid hospital readmission
- Can a simple Post-Discharge program lift depression and boost Self-Care in heart failure patients?