RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

METABolic Deterioration in HTX Determines Outcomes

This study, called METAB-HTX, is for people who have had or are about to have a heart transplant. It's looking closely at how the body's metabolism – how it uses energy from food – changes after the operation. Researchers believe that if these metabolic changes aren't healthy, they might affect how well the new heart works and how long people live after a transplant. They will use different tests, like scans and blood tests, to understand these connections better. The main goal is to find improvements in patient care and long-term health for everyone who receives a new heart.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf

Enrolment target

270

Start

24 Jul 2025

Estimated completion

01 Feb 2032

Heart Transplantation

What is this study about?

When someone has a heart transplant, it's a life-changing operation for very serious heart failure. While many people do well, doctors always want to improve how long people live and how healthy they are in the years that follow. We know that things like gaining too much weight, developing diabetes, or having problems with kidneys or liver can make recovery harder and affect long-term health after a transplant.

This study, called METAB-HTX, wants to understand exactly why these problems sometimes happen and how they are linked. It looks at how your body handles food and energy (your metabolism) and how that might affect your new heart and other important organs like your liver and kidneys. By studying these connections, researchers hope to figure out the best ways to monitor patients, spot problems early, and develop better treatments.

The main idea is to find out if changes in your body's metabolism after a heart transplant are linked to how well your heart works and how you generally do in the long run. By gathering lots of information through different tests, the study aims to fill in important gaps in our knowledge, ultimately leading to improved care and longer, healthier lives for heart transplant recipients.

Key takeaways

A study looking at body changes after heart transplant.
Aims to understand how metabolism affects heart health.
No new medications involved, just monitoring and tests.
Hopes to improve long-term care for transplant patients.
You must be 18+ and have had or will have a heart transplant.
Participation is voluntary and won't affect your normal care.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be at least 18 years old. You should either be planning to have a heart transplant or have already had one. It's also very important that you understand what the study involves and are willing to give your permission (called 'informed consent') to participate.

If you are unable to give your informed consent, then you would not be able to join the study. Otherwise, if you meet the age and transplant criteria, you are likely eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you recently had a heart transplant, or are you scheduled to have one?
Are you able to understand the study information?
Are you willing to agree to take part?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you won't be given any new medicines to try. Instead, the researchers will carefully monitor your health using several tests over time. This will likely involve regular appointments where you might have blood tests, special sugar tolerance tests, and scans like echocardiograms (ultrasound of the heart) or MRI scans to look at your heart and other organs. You might also have small tissue samples taken, such as heart biopsies that are typically already part of your post-transplant care, and possibly a muscle biopsy. The study will track these results to see how your body changes after the transplant. The specific number of visits and tests will be explained in detail by the study team, and it's an ongoing study following participants over a period of time.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might not directly benefit you, but the information gained could help improve care for future heart transplant patients. The tests involved are generally routine for transplant patients, so any risks are usually small and would be explained to you in full. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

University-Hospital Düsseldorf Division of Cardiology, Pneumology and Angiology
Verified postcode
Düsseldorf, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'metabolism'?

Metabolism is how your body turns food into energy and uses it for everything it does, like breathing, moving, and growing.

Will I have to take new study drugs?

No, this study does not involve trying out new medications. It's focused on observing and understanding your body's changes.

Are the tests dangerous?

The tests used are mostly routine checks or standard scans that heart transplant patients often have as part of their regular care. Any potential risks will be thoroughly discussed with you.

How long will I be in the study?

This is a 'longitudinal' study, meaning it follows people over time. The exact duration for each participant will be explained by the study team.

Will my regular doctors still treat me?

Yes, participating in this study will not change your routine medical care or your relationship with your usual doctors.

How to find out more

Amin Polzin, Prof.

amin.polzin@med.uni-duesseldorf.de 0211 81 18801 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.