๐Ÿ›๏ธ Verified NIH Record โ€ข Updated 2025-11-24

A SkeleTal Muscle Recovery Intervention With Dietary Protein in Heart Failure (NCT05627440)

๐ŸŸข Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic ๐Ÿ“‹ Clinical Research Protocol Sponsor: Tufts Medical Center

๐Ÿฉบ Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

Severe skeletal wasting and catabolic weight loss are highly common among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This prospective randomized controlled trial will compare changes in the muscle mass in the arms and the legs (appendicular lean mass) in patients with HFrEF randomized between 3 groups of no, low- or high-dose protein supplementation. The dietary protein supplementation will be Ensure(R) products manufactured by Abbott Nutrition. The Investigators hypothesize that skeletal muscle wasting in HFrEF is promoted by neurohumoral activation of catabolic metabolism (such as GDF-15 and ActRII pathways) and can be at least partially reversed by increased dietary protein intake. It is anticipated that this study will determine whether dietary protein supplementation helps to prevent muscle wasting and will advance understanding of the GDF-15 and ActRII muscle wasting pathways.

Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.

Location: Tufts Medical Center โ€” Boston, Massachusetts

Age range: 18 Years to 100 Years

๐Ÿ“‹ "Do I Qualify?" โ€” 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Full eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria โ†—

๐Ÿ“ All Participating Trial Locations (2 Sites)

  • Tufts Medical Center โ€” Boston, Massachusetts
  • Cleveland Clinic โ€” Cleveland, Ohio

๐Ÿ“ž Contact the Study Coordinator

Phone: (216) 444-6798

Email: vesta2@ccf.org

Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.

๐Ÿ’ฐ 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 ยง 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.

Explore by condition: All Heart Failure clinical trials

๐Ÿ’ก How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ View Official NIH Record โ†—