Assessing Systemic Circulation and LV Performance in Adults (NCT04347655)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Background There are significant limitations in the current approaches to assessing 2 important areas of cardiovascular physiology - the systemic circulation and left ventricular (LV) performance. The investigators' have repurposed the concepts of "systemic vascular conductance" to assess systemic circulation, and the "head capacity principle" to assess LV performance. The investigators' now seek to test these concepts in human adults, with heart failure and without heart failure, using non-invasive methods. Hypothesis There will be a depressed head-capacity curve and reduced power among patients with heart failure which will indicate compromised left ventricular pump function. Methods The research study will involve a single outpatient visit per subject. The study will take place with the subject supine on a bed/table. The subjects will be instrumented with EKG electrodes and finger blood pressure cuffs. The continuous finger BP device performs a waveform analysis in real-time to determine the non-invasive stroke volume, cardiac output, and blood pressure. The patient will be supine for at least 5 minutes to collect baseline data before being handed a dynamometer device. The subject will then be asked to squeeze the dynamometer with maximum force for a minimum of 2 minutes while only engaging their forearm and remaining relaxed in the rest of their body. The subject will then release the dynamometer and remain supine, in recovery, for a minimum of 5 minutes. Following the handgrip test, the instrumentation will be removed and the patient's participation in the study will be complete. The study duration should be about 20 min.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (2 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (3 items).
Location: University of Calgary — Calgary, Alberta
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent
- On intravenous inotrope or pressor medications to maintain their cardiac function
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- University of Calgary — Calgary, Alberta
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.