PATHHFINDER

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  PATHophysiology of Heart Failure - Investigating the Novel Dilatory Effects of Relaxin

• IRAS ID

  270876

• Contact name

  Joseph Cheriyan

• Contact email

  jc403@cam.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  WHAT IS THE RESEARCH QUESTION?
  This study will investigate the cardiovascular effects of the peptide relaxin in heart failure patients compared to broadly age-matched healthy volunteers. We will examine local arterial effects, venous effects, and systemic effects.

  WHAT IS BEING STUDIED?
  The naturally-occurring human peptide relaxin

  HOW IS THIS STUDY OF RELEVANCE TO PATIENTS AND THE PUBLIC?
  Heart failure is an expensive, debilitating, and often fatal condition with limited treatment options, particularly in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (where the heart incompletely fills with blood). However, a recent series of clinical trials by Novartis suggest that the endogenous peptide relaxin may be beneficial. We previously investigated the vasodilatory effects of relaxin in healthy volunteers as part of the DEFINE study (REC reference 18/YH/0010) and now wish to expand these physiological studies to heart failure patients.

  WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
  This study contains 3 populations: heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and broadly age-matched healthy volunteers

  WHERE WILL THE STUDY TAKE PLACE?
  The study will be conducted at the Vascular Research Clinic in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge

  HOW LONG WILL THE STUDY LAST?
  There are 5 sub-studies within PATHHFINDER. Participants will be consented to each sub-study separately and may take part in as many or as few as they wish and as they are elibible for, at the discretion of the PI.

  Each study has either 2 or 3 visits in each, lasting 4-5 hours. For individual participants, the minimum duration (including follow-up phone call) of a single sub-study would be 3 days, while the maximum duration would be approximately 3 weeks. Overall, the study will last approximately 2 years

• REC name

  North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2

• REC reference

  19/NS/0175

• Date of REC Opinion

  18 Nov 2019

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion