Not yet recruitingNCT07927127ClinicalTrials.gov record

DESAL-HEART: Hypertonic Saline Added to a Pre-declared Furosemide Dose in Acute Heart Failure

Acute Heart Failure (AHF) · Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

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THE QUICK READ

What this study involves

The registry does not currently label this study as recruiting. Ask about its status before planning a screening visit.

Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 4
Age range: 18 years - Not specified
Sex eligible: All sexes
Healthy volunteers: Not accepted
Participants: 60 Estimated

These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.

About the research

DESAL-HEART is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, mechanistic proof-of-concept trial conducted within the Heart Failure Efficacy and Research Trial (HEART) Platform. The study will evaluate whether adding a single infusion of 3% hypertonic saline solution (HSS) to a pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose improves decongestion in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure.

Read the full description

Background and Rationale

Congestion is a major cause of hospitalization in patients with acute heart failure. Intravenous loop diuretics, such as furosemide, are the standard treatment for removing excess fluid, but treatment responses vary and residual congestion remains common.

Hypertonic saline may temporarily increase effective circulating blood volume, improve kidney perfusion, and enhance the delivery and effectiveness of furosemide. Although previous studies have suggested potential benefits, limitations in study quality and differences in treatment regimens have prevented definitive conclusions.

DESAL-HEART is designed to isolate the effect of hypertonic saline by ensuring that the furosemide dose is determined before randomization and administered in both treatment groups.

Study Design

A total of 60 adults hospitalized with acute heart failure and persistent congestion will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either:

A single 150 mL infusion of 3% hypertonic saline administered over 30 minutes together with a pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose; or

The same pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose alone.

Randomization will be performed centrally using REDCap, with stratification by chronic kidney disease status. The study is open-label because the control group will not receive a placebo infusion. Laboratory endpoints will be assessed objectively.

The treating clinician will determine and document the intravenous furosemide dose before randomization. Subsequent heart failure management will remain at the discretion of the treating physician.

Study Objectives and Assessments

The primary objective is to estimate the effect of hypertonic saline on NT-proBNP, a biomarker of heart failure, measured 24 ± 6 hours after randomization.

The key mechanistic secondary endpoint is spot urine sodium concentration measured 90-150 minutes after randomization, providing an early measure of the kidneys' response to diuretic treatment.

Additional assessments include:

NT-proBNP at 48 ± 6 hours after randomization.

Spot urine sodium from the first urine sample collected more than 6 hours after randomization.

Changes in body weight, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum electrolytes, and creatinine at 24 hours.

Urine output, net fluid balance, and additional decongestive treatments during the first 24 hours.

Treatment delivery, recruitment feasibility, and completeness of outcome assessments.

Safety assessments will include infusion intolerance, clinically important electrolyte abnormalities, changes in kidney function, symptomatic hypotension, worsening respiratory status, and serious adverse events. A serum sodium increase of at least 5 mmol/L from baseline or any sodium value of at least 150 mmol/L is a prespecified adverse event of special interest.

Exploratory outcomes include major adverse kidney events and days alive and out of hospital at 30 days. Additional clinical and patient-reported outcomes will be collected through the HEART Platform.

Statistical Analysis and Study Purpose

The primary analysis will use a mixed model for repeated measures to compare log-transformed NT-proBNP at 24 and 48 hours between treatment groups, adjusting for baseline NT-proBNP, site, chronic kidney disease status, age, and sex. The treatment effect will be reported as a geometric mean ratio with a 95% confidence interval.

This 60-participant study is intended to estimate the magnitude and precision of the biological treatment effect rather than establish clinical efficacy. A prespecified Green/Yellow/Red decision framework will integrate the biological signal, urine sodium response, safety, and feasibility to determine whether further investigation in a definitive clinical outcomes trial is warranted.

Who may be able to participate?

The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.

Inclusion Criteria:

Adults aged 18 years or older.
Primary diagnosis of acute heart failure with dyspnea and at least two of the following signs of congestion:

Pulmonary congestion on chest radiograph.
Rales on chest auscultation.
Clinically relevant peripheral edema.
Elevated jugular venous pressure.
Randomization within 24 hours of the hospital admission order or admitted status, with admission to a hospital ward or intensive care unit, including patients remaining in the emergency department awaiting transfer.
Persistent congestion with a clinical plan for another intravenous furosemide dose.
NT-proBNP ≥1000 pg/mL, regardless of the presence of atrial fibrillation.
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \>15 mL/min/1.73 m².
Serum sodium ≥125 mmol/L and \<145 mmol/L.
Meets the eligibility requirements of the HEART Platform Master Protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

Hypertonic saline already administered during the current presentation.
A clinical indication for therapeutic hypertonic saline.
Contraindication to either study treatment, including known allergy, hypersensitivity, or intolerance to hypertonic saline or furosemide.
Requirement for mechanical circulatory support.
Dialysis-dependent kidney failure or anuria (absence of urine production).
Treating physician's judgment that either treatment strategy is inappropriate, or any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would make participation unsafe or interfere with interpretation of study results.

Understand screening

Treatment, groups and participation

The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.

Assignment: Random assignment
Masking: No masking

Hypertonic Saline Plus Furosemide

Participants will receive a single 150 mL intravenous infusion of 3% hypertonic saline over 30 minutes, administered concurrently with a pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose. The furosemide dose will be determined by the treating clinician before randomization. Subsequent treatment will follow standard clinical care.

Drug: Hypertonic Saline (3% Sodium Chloride) · Drug: Furosemide (Diuretic)

Furosemide Alone

Participants will receive a pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose without hypertonic saline. The furosemide dose will be determined by the treating clinician before randomization using the same dosing approach as the intervention group. Subsequent treatment will follow standard clinical care.

Drug: Furosemide (Diuretic)

Hypertonic Saline (3% Sodium Chloride) DRUG

A single 150 mL intravenous infusion of 3% sodium chloride (hypertonic saline solution) administered over 30 minutes, initiated at the same time as the pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose.

Furosemide (Diuretic) DRUG

A single intravenous dose of furosemide determined and documented by the treating clinician before randomization. The same pre-declared dosing approach applies to both treatment groups. Subsequent diuretic treatment is determined by the treating physician according to standard clinical care.

Prepare your questions

What researchers are measuring

Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.

Primary measures

Change From Baseline in NT-proBNP at 24 Hours

Time frame: Baseline to 24 hours after randomization

Change in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) from baseline to 24 hours after randomization. NT-proBNP is a blood biomarker of heart failure.

Secondary measures

Spot Urine Sodium Concentration at 90-150 Minutes

Time frame: 90-150 minutes after randomization

Spot urine sodium concentration measured 90-150 minutes after randomization to assess the early natriuretic response to intravenous furosemide with or without hypertonic saline.

Change From Baseline in NT-proBNP at 48 Hours

Time frame: Baseline to 48 hours after randomization

Change in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) from baseline to 48 hours after randomization to assess the persistence of the treatment effect on this heart failure biomarker

Spot Urine Sodium Concentration at 6 Hours

Time frame: First urine void more than 6 hours after randomization

Spot urine sodium concentration measured from the first urine sample collected more than 6 hours after randomization to assess the sustained natriuretic response to treatment. The actual sample collection time will be recorded.

Change From Baseline in Hemoglobin at 24 Hours

Time frame: Baseline and 24 hours after randomization

Change in blood hemoglobin concentration from baseline to 24 hours after randomization, measured using routine complete blood count testing.

Change From Baseline in Hematocrit at 24 Hours

Time frame: Baseline and 24 hours after randomization

Change in hematocrit from baseline to 24 hours after randomization, measured using routine complete blood count testing

Change From Baseline in Body Weight at 24 Hours

Time frame: Baseline and 24 hours after randomization

Change in body weight from baseline to 24 hours after randomization to assess fluid removal and decongestion.

Total Urine Output Through 24 Hours

Time frame: Randomization through 24 hours

Total recorded urine output during the first 24 hours after randomization to assess the diuretic response to treatment.

Net Fluid Balance Through 24 Hours

Time frame: Randomization through 24 hours

Net fluid balance, calculated as total recorded fluid intake minus total recorded fluid output during the first 24 hours after randomization.

Total Furosemide-Equivalent Dose Through 24 Hours

Time frame: Randomization through 24 hours

Total furosemide-equivalent diuretic dose administered during the first 24 hours after randomization, including the pre-declared study dose and subsequent diuretic treatments.

Other Decongestive Therapies Through 24 Hours

Time frame: Randomization through 24 hours

Use of additional decongestive therapies during the first 24 hours after randomization, including treatments administered at the discretion of the treating physician.

Change From Baseline in Serum Sodium