Back to search results

LVAD Conditioning for Heart Recovery

This study is looking at whether heart function can improve in people with severe heart failure who have a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implanted. An LVAD is a pump that helps your heart circulate blood. The study will test a method called "Controlled Cardiac Reloading through LVAD Speed Adjustment." This means the LVAD speed will be slowly reduced over time, making your heart work a bit harder. The goal is to see if this helps your heart recover. You could join if you have heart failure and are getting an LVAD as a bridge to a heart transplant. The main way to measure success is by looking at changes in your heart's pumping ability (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction or LVEF) at 12 months after your LVAD is put in. The current recruitment status is unclear, and the study plans to enroll 100 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 100 participants. The study does not specify a phase.
What's involved
You would have your LVAD speed reduced at visits every 2-3 weeks, for up to 8 visits. This continues until the minimum operating setting is reached or other conditions are met.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your heart's pumping ability will be measured at 12 months after LVAD implantation, or at the time of LVAD explantation/heart transplant.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT03238690

LVAD Conditioning for Cardiac Recovery

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
STAVROS G DRAKOS
~100 participants
Updated 2026-08-13 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Controlled Cardiac Reloading through LVAD Speed Adjustment

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF)
Measured over Baseline (prior to LVAD implantation) and 12 months post-LVAD implantation, or at time of LVAD explantation/heart transplant

Conditions

Heart Failure

Explore related trials

Heart Failure

NCT03238690

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Utah

    Salt Lake City, Utahstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Stavros Drakos, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Utah

Who to contact

John Kirk
[email protected]
801-585-2944
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Want this trial checked against your situation?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Diagnosed with heart failure undergoing LVAD implantation as a bridge to transplant
Enrolled in the Effects of Mechanical Unloading on Myocardial Function and Structure study (IRB 30622)

Exclusion

Neither the subject nor the subject's representative is willing to provide written consent for participation
Subjects with adverse events leading to hospitalization during the optimum unloading phase are excluded from participation in the controlled reloading phase

What this trial measures

  • Change in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF)Baseline (prior to LVAD implantation) and 12 months post-LVAD implantation, or at time of LVAD explantation/heart transplant

    LVEF is measured by echocardiography. The average change in LVEF from baseline to 12 months or transplant in the study participant arm will be compared to results from an historical control group.