Contemporary Heart Failure Management : The Added Role of Digoxin

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Contemporary Heart Failure Management : A Randomised, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Measure the Effects of Low-Dose Digoxin on Haemodynamics and Symptoms in Patients with Heart Failure.

• IRAS ID

  2865

• Eudract number

  2007-006660-30

• ISRCTN Number

  n/a

• Research summary

  Heart failure is a complex and costly medical condition to treat and is associated with significant impairment in quality of life. It is expected that there will be a large increase in numbers of persons who have heart failure in coming decades. Standard medications used to treat heart failure are well known by doctors who manage the condition, but there are large gaps in the knowledge base.Digoxin is a drug that has been used for over two centuries to treat persons with heart failure. There is a little evidence supporting its use in the modern day. This study primarily aims to assess the effects of digoxin on heart function in persons who have heart failure who continue to have symptoms and are treated with modern medicines. We will use two non-invasive devices (one that measures heart sounds, acoustic cardiography and the other that measures the electrical conductivity of tissues, impedance cardiography). These can both measure heart function through adhesive stickers applied to the chest wall. Changes in heart function before and after treatment with digoxin versus a placebo will be measured. Such devices are becoming increasingly important in heart failure management as they have the potential to closely monitor persons from their own home.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  09/H1306/7

• Date of REC Opinion

  11 Mar 2009

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion