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CompletedNCT00132977RethinQUpdated Feb 4, 2019

RethinQ Study - Evaluating Pacing in Heart Failure Patients

A Phase 3 interventional study of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Heart Failure, sponsored by Abbott Medical Devices. Completed at 34 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2019-02-04.

Sponsored by Abbott Medical Devices (part of Abbott) · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
250
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Patients with heart failure have a pumping action of the ventricles in which one ventricle contracts before the other ventricle. This uncoordinated (unsynchronized) pumping is due to a delay in the stimulation of the left ventricle because of its increased size. Pacing both the right and the left side of the heart (or cardiac resynchronization therapy [CRT]) has been proven to be effective in the treatment of heart failure (HF). Current market-approved devices combine both pacing (CRT) and shocking (implantable cardioverter defibrillator [ICD]) therapy for patients who have severe heart failure and are at risk for developing life-threatening heart rhythms. These devices provide an electrical pacing stimulus to both ventricles and may help the heart contract in a more coordinated way and improve heart failure symptoms.

The investigational portion of this trial involves the implantation of a market-approved CRT implantable cardioverter defibrillator (CRT-D) system in patients who do not meet the current criteria for a CRT implant. In order to receive a CRT-D implant today, patients must have heart failure symptoms, have a weakened heart muscle, and have uncoordinated pumping of the heart. To demonstrate this uncoordinated pumping of the heart, a test (electrocardiogram [ECG]) is done. It is believed that by using a different test (echocardiogram) to measure whether this uncoordinated pumping is present, more patients will be identified that will benefit from CRT-D therapy. This study will look at whether patients identified by using this echocardiogram test show a benefit from having this CRT-D therapy.

Read the detailed description

1.0 Problem of Interest

Patients with heart failure have a pumping action of the ventricles in which one ventricle contracts before the other ventricle. This uncoordinated (unsynchronized) pumping is due to a delay in the stimulation of the left ventricle because of its increased size. Pacing both the right and the left side of the heart (or cardiac resynchronization therapy [CRT]) has been proven to be effective in the treatment of heart failure. Current market-approved devices combine both pacing (CRT) and shocking (ICD) therapy for patients who have severe heart failure and are at risk for developing life-threatening heart rhythms. These devices provide an electrical pacing stimulus to both ventricles at the same time and may help the heart contract in a more coordinated way and improve heart failure symptoms.

The investigational portion of this trial involves the implantation of a market-approved CRT implantable cardioverter defibrillator (CRT-D) system in patients who do not meet the current criteria for a CRT implant. In order to receive a CRT-D implant today, patients must have heart failure symptoms, have a weakened heart muscle, and have uncoordinated pumping of the heart. To demonstrate this uncoordinated pumping of the heart, a test (ECG) is done. It is believed that by using a different test (echocardiogram) to measure whether this uncoordinated pumping is present, more patients will be identified that will benefit from CRT-D therapy.

2.0 Study Summary

Testing will be performed to determine if patients are eligible for this study. An EKG (electrical tracing of the heart) will be performed. They will be asked to complete a 6- minute hall walk test that will provide information regarding their ability to exercise and conduct daily activities. An echocardiogram with tissue Doppler imaging (ultrasound of the heart) will be performed to determine how the heart muscle contracts. Results of this echocardiogram will determine if patients are eligible to participate in this study.

The device system that will be implanted consists of a St. Jude Medical CRT-D and three pacing leads (insulted wires that carry electrical energy from the device to the heart). One lead is placed in the upper right chamber of the heart (atrium), a second lead is placed in the lower right chamber of the heart (right ventricle) and the third lead is placed within a vein that runs along the outside of the heart and is positioned at a location near the left lower chamber of the heart (left ventricle).

A randomization visit will occur approximately 14 days after implant. Patients will be randomized (like a flip of a coin) to one of two groups. Each patient will have an equal chance of being randomized to either of the two groups. One group will receive cardiac resynchronization treatment (CRT ON) and the other group will not receive cardiac resynchronization treatment (CRT OFF). Patients in the CRT OFF group can receive cardiac resynchronization treatment at 6 months after randomization if the doctor determines that it is appropriate.

Prior to randomization and programming of the device, the following tests will be completed:

  • Quality of Life Questionnaire - contains 21 questions that provide information as to how heart failure affects the patient's daily life.
  • EKG
  • 6-Minute Hall.
  • Cardiopulmonary Exercise Stress Testing (CPX) - measures the amount of oxygen used by your body while exercising on a treadmill and breathing through a special breathing tube
  • Echocardiogram

Follow-up visits will occur at 3 and 6 months following randomization and every 6 months thereafter until the end of the study. The tests performed at the randomization visit (Quality of Life Questionnaire, EKG, 6 minute hall walk, CPX and echocardiogram) will be repeated at the 6-month follow-up visit. Additionally, each visit will include a review of the patient's condition and current medications and an evaluation of the CRT-D device.

3.0 How Will the Research Advance Scientific Knowledge and/or Human Health?

It is hoped that by pacing both lower chambers of the heart in these patients that they will feel better. They may be able to do more activities with fewer symptoms. In addition, the information gathered in this study will add to the understanding of treatment options for patients with heart failure.

4.0 What is the Current Standard of Care?

Alternative treatments to the St. Jude Medical CRT-D system (includes the left heart lead) currently available include implantation of a standard ICD system and/or treatment with medications.

02

Conditions studied

  • Heart Failure

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Keywords

  • Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
  • Heart Failure
  • Mechanical Dyssynchrony
03

In context

Heart Failure

5,803 studies on the registry are indexed under Heart Failure; 1,222 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 250 is above the median of 72 across 3,790 interventional studies indexed under Heart Failure.

Browse Heart Failure studies →

Lead sponsor

Abbott Medical Devices is the lead sponsor of 539 studies on the registry; 33 are open to participants now.

Of its 53 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 44 (83%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Have an approved indication for implantation of an ICD.
  • Have advanced HF with a New York Heart Association (NYHA) Classification of III, despite receiving optimal pharmacological therapy.
  • Have a stable heart failure medical regimen.
  • Have a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \<= 35%.
  • Have evidence of mechanical dyssynchrony as measured by echocardiography using tissue Doppler imaging or M-mode.
  • Have a QRS duration \< 130 ms (present in all ECG leads).
  • Have the ability to complete exercise stress testing and 6-minute hall walk test, with the only limiting factors being related to cardiac fitness.
  • Have the ability to independently comprehend and complete a quality of life questionnaire.
  • Have the ability to provide informed consent for study participation and be willing and able to comply with the prescribed follow-up tests and schedule of evaluations.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Have a standard bradycardic indication for pacing.
  • Have been previously treated with CRT.
  • Have continuous atrial fibrillation [AF] (continuous is defined as AF lasting > 1 month) within 1 year prior to enrollment or have undergone cardioversion for AF in the past month.
  • Have the ability to walk > 450 meters during the 6-minute walk test.
  • Have a NYHA Classification of I, II or IV.
  • Have symptomatic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as it relates to exercise ability.
  • Have a classification of Status 1 for cardiac transplantation or consideration for transplantation over the next 6 months.
  • Have had a recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina or cardiac revascularization (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty [PTCA] or coronary artery bypass graft [CABG]) within 40 days of enrollment.
  • Have had a recent cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) within 3 months of enrollment.
  • Have severe musculoskeletal disorder(s).
  • Pregnant or planning for pregnancy in the next 6 months.
  • Currently participating in, or have participated in any clinical investigation within the last 30 days (the only exception being that of a registry trial).
  • Have a life expectancy of less than 6 months.
  • Less than 18 years of age.
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Study design

Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double
Enrollment
250 participants (actual)

Interventions

  • DeviceCardiac Resynchronization Therapy
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What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) effectiveness will be evaluated in terms of exercise capacity (peak VO2), as measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing

    Time frame: 6 months

  2. Safety will be evaluated in terms of survival from CRT-D system-related complications.

    Time frame: 6 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Quality of Life Questionnaire

    Time frame: 6 months

  2. New York Heart Association (NYHA) Classification

    Time frame: 6 months

07

Study locations

34 sites
  • University Hospital University of Alabama at Birmingham
    Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
  • Arizona Arrhythmia Consultants
    Scottsdale, Arizona 85251, United States
  • Arkansas Cardiology, PA
    Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, United States
  • Arkansas Heart Hospital
    Little Rock, Arkansas 72211, United States
  • Glendale Memorial Hospital and Medical Center
    Glendale, California 91204, United States
  • Scripps Green Hospital
    La Jolla, California 92037, United States
  • Mercy General Hospital
    Sacramento, California 95819, United States
  • St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center
    Hartford, Connecticut 06105, United States
  • Shands Jacksonville
    Jacksonville, Florida 32209, United States
  • Orlando Regional Medical Center
    Orlando, Florida 32806, United States
  • Emory University
    Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
  • Unversity of Chicago
    Chicago, Illinois 30322, United States
  • Loyola University Medical Center
    Maywood, Illinois 60153, United States
  • Iowa Heart Center
    Des Moines, Iowa 50314, United States
  • Central Baptist Hospital
    Lexington, Kentucky 40503, United States
  • Massachusetts General Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
  • Baystate Medical Center
    Springfield, Massachusetts 01199, United States
  • St. John Hospital and Medical Center
    Detroit, Michigan 48236, United States
  • Ingham Regional Medical Center
    Lansing, Michigan 48910, United States
  • United Hospital
    Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102, United States
  • Nebraska Heart Institute
    Lincoln, Nebraska 68526, United States
  • Deborah Heart and Lung Center
    Browns Mills, New Jersey 08015, United States
  • New York Presbyterian Hospital/Cornell University
    New York, New York 10021, United States
  • Mount Sinai Hospital
    New York, New York 10029, United States
  • St. Francis Hospital
    Roslyn, New York 11576, United States
  • University Hospitals of Cleveland
    Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
  • Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Cleveland, Ohio 44195, United States
  • The Ohio State University
    Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
  • Elyria Regional Medical Center
    Elyria, Ohio 44035, United States
  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
  • Main Line Health Center/Lankenau Hospital
    Wynnewood, Pennsylvania 10969, United States
  • Medical University of Southern California
    Charleston, South Carolina 29401, United States
  • Stern Cardiovascular Center
    Germantown, Tennessee 38138, United States
  • St. Thomas Hospital
    Nashville, Tennessee 37205, United States
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Beshai JF, Grimm R. The resynchronization therapy in narrow QRS study (RethinQ study): methods and protocol design. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2007 Sep;19(3):149-55. doi: 10.1007/s10840-007-9156-3. PubMed 17899346 ↗
  • Beshai JF, Grimm RA, Nagueh SF, Baker JH 2nd, Beau SL, Greenberg SM, Pires LA, Tchou PJ; RethinQ Study Investigators. Cardiac-resynchronization therapy in heart failure with narrow QRS complexes. N Engl J Med. 2007 Dec 13;357(24):2461-71. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa0706695. Epub 2007 Nov 6. PubMed 17986493 ↗
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Feb 4, 2019, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00132977
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Aug 22, 2005
Start date
Jul 2005
Primary completion
Jul 2007
Completion
Jul 2007
Last update
Feb 4, 2019

Study contacts

John Beshai, MD
study chair · University of Chicago

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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