Testing a blood-filtering device for hospitalized heart failure patients

Plain-English translation of NCT03836482 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated March 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

What is this trial?

This trial is testing the Selective Cytopheretic Device (SCD), a machine that filters your blood to reduce inflammation that damages your heart. If you have severe heart failure with kidney problems or right heart weakness and are waiting for a left ventricular assist device (a surgically implanted heart pump), this treatment may help your heart and kidneys recover enough to make you eligible for that life-saving surgery.

Patients with the most severe heart failure often have dangerously high inflammation levels that make their hearts weaker and their kidneys fail. Currently, there is no effective treatment to reduce this inflammation, and many patients become ineligible for heart pump surgery because their condition worsens too much while waiting. This treatment is designed to address that gap.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years or older and hospitalized for acute worsening of chronic heart failure
your heart's pumping ability is significantly reduced (ejection fraction 25% or lower, or 35% or lower depending on your situation)
you have not improved despite taking the strongest heart failure medications for at least 45 days in the last 60 days
you have evidence of high inflammation in your blood (elevated inflammatory markers)
you have either severely impaired right heart function or worsening kidney function thought to be caused by heart failure
you have adequate baseline kidney function (eGFR of 40 or higher) and are a potential candidate for heart pump surgery

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a clear reason why a heart pump surgery would not be safe for you, even with treatment
you have severe kidney disease with an eGFR below 40 at the start of the study (in most cases)
you are unable or unwilling to have a heart catheter placed for monitoring during the study

What participation looks like

You would receive the blood-filtering treatment for 4 hours each day for up to 6 days while hospitalized. During each treatment session, blood flows out of your body through a tube, passes through the filtering device to reduce inflammation, and then flows back in. After those initial treatment days, you would be followed closely for 6 months with clinic visits and blood tests to see if your heart and kidney function improve.

Testing a blood-filtering device for hospitalized heart failure patients

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)