One pill to treat heart failure? new study tests simpler approach
NCT ID NCT04633005
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether a single daily pill containing three heart failure drugs could help people with reduced ejection fraction, especially those with low income or from minority groups. 212 adults took either the polypill or standard separate medications. The goal was to see if the polypill made it easier to stick with treatment and improve heart function.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Polypill (metoprolol succinate, empagliflozin, spironolactone)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a simpler, cheaper way to manage heart failure, especially for low-income and minority patients.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial (212 people) testing feasibility, not yet proven to improve outcomes. The polypill may not suit everyone or have side effects.
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
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
212 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Nov 2021
- Finished
-
Oct 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
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: * Adults age \> = 18 years * HF with left ventricular ejection fraction \<= 40% within 3 months of screening who are not on target dose guideline directed medical therapy * New York Heart Association class II, III, or IV symptoms Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 18 * Systolic blood pressure \< 110 mm Hg at enrollment if not on HTN therapy. * Systolic blood pressure \<100 mm Hg at enrollment if on HTN therapy * Serum creatinine \>2.5 for men and 2.0 for women * Serum potassium \> 5.0 mEq/L * Current need for inotropes * Cardiac index \< 2.2 L/min/m2 * History of revascularization within 30 days or plan for revascularization * History of type 1 diabetes mellitus * History of allergic reaction or contraindication to a beta-blocker (BB), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), or sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) * Contraindication to receive any of the components of the polypill * Pregnancy * \< 6 month expected survival * Inability to provide written informed consent * Persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation who may not have optimal MRI imaging * Extreme obesity (BMI \> 45 kg/m2) * ICD/Pacemaker devices that are incompatible with MRI
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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
-
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, 75209, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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