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Electronic nudge uncovers silent heart failure
NCT ID NCT01734135
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether sending an electronic alert to primary care doctors about patients with high BNP levels (a sign of possible heart strain) would lead to more heart imaging and earlier diagnosis of hidden heart failure. 115 patients with high BNP but no recent heart imaging were enrolled. The goal was to see if the alert increased the number of patients who got an echocardiogram within six months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Clinical reminder (electronic medical record notification)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could help doctors catch hidden heart failure earlier, leading to better management and outcomes.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial testing a notification system, not a new treatment. It may not change patient health or be practical in all clinics.
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
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115 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
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Oct 2010
- Finished
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Sep 2015
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 120 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: * BNP \>= 200 pg/ml in last 2 months Exclusion Criteria: * Measure of LVEF in the last 12 months * Last measure of LVEF \< 40%
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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
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VA Palo Alto Health Care System
Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States
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