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NCT03380156 · ClinicalTrials.gov registry record · NA

Effect of Transcutaneous Vagal Stimulation (TVS) on Endothelial Function and Arterial Stiffness in HFrEF

A NA study, sponsored by University of Oklahoma.

Completed
Registry status
NA
Development phase
50
Enrollment target

NCT03380156: Completed NA study, sponsored by University of Oklahoma.

NCT03380156 is a NA study that has completed, run by University of Oklahoma. The registered enrollment target is 50 participants, below the 1,404-participant average among 58,714 other NA trials with a reported enrollment target (96% lower). According to ClinicalTrials.gov, the official US trial registry.

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The verdict

NCT03380156, a NA study, has completed, sponsored by University of Oklahoma.

COMPLETED
Registry status
NA
Development phase
50 participants
Enrollment target

Study Summary

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of hospitalization in the US. Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by the decreased vasodilatory capacity of the vascular endothelium, is rampant in atherosclerotic diseases such as coronary artery disease and also in HF. Endothelial dysfunction also correlates with HF severity, progression, and mortality. It is postulated that endothelial dysfunction may in part be due to enhanced sympathetic drive, diminished parasympathetic drive, chronic inflammatory state thereby leading to reduced nitric oxide synthase activity in the vascular endothelium. Low-level vagus nerve stimulation (LLVNS) is an invasive way to modulate autonomic tone. Recent experimental and clinical data suggest that low-level transcutaneous vagal stimulation (TVS) (by stimulating the auricular branch of the vagus nerve located at the tragus of the external ear) may produce the same desired neuromodulator effect compared to LLVNS. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of TVS on endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. The study population will include patients with chronic HFrEF. After performing baseline flow-mediated dilation (FMD), laser speckle contrast imaging(LSCI) and pulse wave analysis (PWA) testing, patients will be randomized to TVS or sham stimulation with a crossover design at different time points. The patient randomized to TVS arm will undergo stimulation for 1 hour followed by immediate measurement of FMD,LSCI and PWA. There will be a washout period of at least 24 hours with patient crossing over to the other arms thus serving as their self-control.

Primary Outcome

Flow mediated vasodilatation will be tested. A change in the maximal diameter of the brachial artery(in mm) will be assessed before and within 10 minutes of TVNS/sham stimulation.

Interventions

  • DEVICE TVS
  • DEVICE Sham TVS

Trial Details

FieldValue
Enrollment Target 50 participants
Start Date 2017-12-04
Est. Completion 2020-05-30
Phase NA
University of Oklahoma

358 total trials

What the finished NCT03380156 record still lists

NCT03380156 is an interventional study that assigns participants to a tested intervention. The registry caps enrollment at 50 participants, a relatively small participant target, below the 1,404-participant average among 58,714 other NA trials with a reported enrollment target (96% lower).

The record links to 0 conditions, and to 2 interventions - of which TVS is the first listed.

NCT03380156 does not publish any study locations in the registry export this page uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is clinical trial NCT03380156 about?

NCT03380156 is a clinical study titled "Effect of Transcutaneous Vagal Stimulation (TVS) on Endothelial Function and Arterial Stiffness in HFrEF". Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of hospitalization in the US. Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by the decreased vasodilatory capacity of the vascular endothelium, is rampant in atherosclerotic diseases such as coronary artery disease and also in HF. Endothelial dysfunction also correla...

What is the current status of trial NCT03380156?

This trial is currently completed. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 50 participants. The study started on 2017-12-04. Estimated completion is 2020-05-30.

What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03380156?

The interventions under investigation include: TVS (DEVICE), Sham TVS (DEVICE).

Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03380156?

This trial is sponsored by University of Oklahoma, which has 358 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How this trial's enrollment target compares

Where NCT03380156's enrollment target sits among peer trials

50 1279th of 2000 higher than 622 of 2,000 other NA trials

participants (enrollment target), bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more other NA trials. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source ClinicalTrials.gov registry export · 2026-08-08

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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03380156, the US trial registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine. NCT03380156 (small enrollment · none site footprint · completed) retrieved and formatted by PlainTrial, see methodology.