Enrollment in Heart Failure Clinical Trials: Insights Into Which Entry Criteria Exclude Patients

Implications of trial eligibility in patients with heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction

AIMS

Clinical trials in heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF/HFpEF) commonly have detailed eligibility criteria. This may contribute to challenges with efficient enrolment and questions regarding the generalizability of trial findings.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients with HFmrEF/HFpEF from a large US healthcare system were identified through a computable phenotype applied in linked imaging and electronic health record databases. We evaluated shared eligibility criteria from five recent/ongoing HFmrEF/HFpEF trials (PARAGON-HF, EMPEROR-Preserved, DELIVER, FINE-ARTS, and SPIRRIT-HFpEF) and compared clinical and echocardiographic features as well as outcomes between trial-eligible and trial-ineligible patients. Among 5552 patients with HFpEF/HFmrEF, 792 (14%) were eligible for trial consideration, having met all criteria assessed. Causes of ineligibility included lack of recent loop diuretics (37%), significant pulmonary disease (24%), reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (17%), recent stroke/transient ischaemic attack (13%), or low natriuretic peptides (12%); 53% of ineligible patients had >1 reason for exclusion. Compared with eligible patients, ineligible patients were younger (age 71 vs. 75 years, P < 0.001) with higher rates of coronary artery disease (66% vs. 59%, P < 0.001) and peripheral vascular disease (40% vs. 33%, P < 0.001), but less mitral regurgitation, lower E/e' ratio, and smaller left atrial sizes. Both eligible and ineligible patients demonstrated high rates of structural heart disease consistent with HFpEF [elevated left atrial size or left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy/increased LV mass], although this was slightly higher among eligible patients (95% vs. 92%, P = 0.001). The two cohorts demonstrated similar LV global longitudinal strain along with a similar prevalence of atrial fibrillation/flutter, hypertension, and obesity. Ineligible patients had similar all-cause mortality (33% vs. 33% at 3 years) to those eligible but lower rates of heart failure hospitalization (20% vs. 28% at 3 years, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with HFmrEF/HFpEF from a large health system, approximately one in seven were eligible for major trials based on key criteria applied through a clinical computable phenotype. These findings highlight the large proportion of patients with HFmrEF/HFpEF ineligible for contemporary trials for whom the generalizability of trial findings may be questioned and further investigation would be beneficial.

Burden from Study Questionnaire on Patient Fatigue in Qualitative Congestive Heart Failure Research

Mixed methods research forms the backbone of translational research methodologies. Qualitative research and subjective data lead to hypothesis generation and ideas that are then proven via quantitative methodologies and gathering objective data. In this vein, clinical trials that generate subjective data may have limitations, when they are not followed through with quantitative data, in terms of their ability to be considered gold standard evidence and inform guidelines and clinical management. However, since many research methods utilise qualitative tools, an initial factor is that such tools can create a burden on patients and researchers. In addition, the quantity of data and its storage contributes to noise and quality issues for its primary and post hoc use. This paper discusses the issue of the burden of subjective data collected and fatigue in the context of congestive heart failure (CHF) research. The CHF population has a high baseline morbidity, so no doubt the focus should be on the content; however, the lengths of the instruments are a product of their vigorous validation processes. Nonetheless, as an important source of hypothesis generation, if a choice of follow-up qualitative assessment is required for a clinical trial, shorter versions of the questionnaire should be used, without compromising the data collection requirements; otherwise, we need to invest in this area and find suitable solutions.

A multicenter program for electronic health record screening for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: Lessons from the DELIVER-EHR initiative

Efficiency in clinical trial recruitment and enrollment remains a major challenge in many areas of clinical medicine. In particular, despite the prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), identifying patients with HFpEF for clinical trials has proven to be especially challenging. In this manuscript, we review strategies for contemporary clinical trial recruitment and present insights from the results of the DELIVER Electronic Health Record (EHR) Screening Initiative. The DELIVER trial was designed to evaluate the effects of dapagliflozin on clinical outcomes in patients with HFpEF. Within this trial, the multicenter DELIVER EHR Screening Initiative utilized EHR-based techniques in order to improve recruitment at selected sites in the United States. For this initiative, we developed and deployed a computable phenotype from the trial's eligibility criteria along with additional EHR tools at interested sites. Sites were then surveyed at the end of the program regarding lessons learned. Six sites were recruited, trained, and supported to utilize the EHR methodology and computable phenotype. Sites found the initiative to be helpful in identifying eligible patients and cited the individualized expert technical support as a critical factor in utilizing the program effectively. We found that the major challenge of implementation was the process of converting traditional inclusion/exclusion criteria into a computable phenotype within an established and ongoing trial. Other significant challenges noted by sites were the following: impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, engagement/support by local institutions, and limited availability of internal EHR experts/resources to execute programming. The study represents a proof-of-concept in the ability to utilize EHR-based tools in clinical trial recruitment for patients with HFpEF and provides important lessons for future initiatives. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03619213.

Participation in a Heart Failure Clinical Trial: Perspectives and Opportunities From the VICTORIA Trial and VICTORIA Simultaneous Registry

BACKGROUND

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) often target enrollment of patients with demographics and outcomes less representative of the broader population of interest. To provide context for the VICTORIA trial (Vericiguat Global Study in Subjects With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction), we designed a registry of hospitalized patients with worsening heart failure to characterize their clinical profile, outcomes, and reasons for their nonparticipation in a RCT.

METHODS

Fifty-one RCT sites in Canada and the United States participated. Eligible patients included those with chronic heart failure, hospitalized for heart failure, and an ejection fraction <45%; no other exclusions were applied. Sites identified patients between 2017 and 2019 during the RCT enrollment period. RCT eligibility criteria were applied, and non-mutually exclusive reasons for nonenrollment were captured. Mortality at 1 year was estimated via the Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure risk score or as observed in the RCT.

RESULTS

Overall, 2056 patients were enrolled in the registry; 61% (n=1256) were ineligible for the RCT, 37% (n=766) were eligible but not enrolled, and 2% (n=34) were also enrolled in the RCT. Registry participants had a median age of 70, 33% were women, and 63% were White. The median risk score predicted a 20.9% 1-year mortality, higher than in the RCT (predicted 14.7% and observed 11.5%). Major reasons for ineligibility in the RCT included the use of nitrates (23%), systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg (12%), and substance use (11%) with other exclusion criteria <10%. For eligible patients, reasons for nonparticipation in the RCT included lack of interest in participating (28%), poor compliance (25%), inability to complete follow-up (23%), too sick (20%), unable to provide consent (17%), and distance from site (15%).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with worsening heart failure in routine clinical practice exhibit high-risk features, and approximately one-third were eligible for an RCT but excluded. The majority of these nonparticipating patients had modifiable reasons. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02861534.

Identifying Barriers and Practical Solutions to Conducting Site-Based Research in North America: Exploring Acute Heart Failure Trials As a Case Study

Although the prognosis of ambulatory heart failure (HF) has improved dramatically there have been few advances in the management of acute HF (AHF). Despite regional differences in patient characteristics, background therapy, and event rates, AHF clinical trial enrollment has transitioned from North America and Western Europe to Eastern Europe, South America, and Asia-Pacific where regulatory burden and cost of conducting research may be less prohibitive. It is unclear if the results of clinical trials conducted outside of North America are generalizable to US patient populations. This article uses AHF as a paradigm and identifies barriers and practical solutions to successfully conducting site-based research in North America.