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Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)COMPLEXNCT07377019

Efficacy and Safety of Compression Boots in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

A study testing Pulsatile Compression Boots (PCB) in people with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF), run by Odense University Hospital at 1 site in Denmark.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate whether pulsatile compression therapy can support heart and kidney function in patients admitted with acute heart failure and fluid accumulation in the legs. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)
What is being tested?
Pulsatile Compression Boots (PCB)
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
100 participants
Where
1 siteDenmark
Study dates
Jan 2026to Apr 2028
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Capable of giving written informed consent
  • Bilateral LE edema - defined as: Pitting edema scale > 1, bilaterally
  • Initial IV diuretic treatment
  • Evidence of heart failure - at least one of the following:
  • Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF):
  • Signs and/or symptoms of HF
Show all 21Show fewer
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 40%
  • Heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF):
  • Signs and/or symptoms of HF
  • LVEF 41 - 49%
  • Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF):
  • Signs and/or symptoms of HF
  • LVEF ≥ 50 %
  • Evidence of structural heart disease (Left atrial enlargement or left ventricular hypertrophy)
  • NT-proBNP > 300pg/mL for patients without ongoing atrial fibrillation/flutter, and NT-proBNP > 600 pg/mL for patients with ongoing atrial fibrillation/flutter.
  • Evidence of elevated pulmonary artery pressure - at least one of the following:
  • Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) > 35 mmHg
  • Tricuspid regurgitation gradient (TRG) > 30 mmHg
  • Severe tricuspid regurgitation and VCI > 20 mm.
  • Additional echocardiographic criteria:
  • Left atrial end-systolic volume index > 34 mL/m2

Who cannot join

  • Pregnancy
  • Life expectancy less than 1 year for any reason
  • Expected hospital stay less than 1 day
  • New York Heart Association classification (NYHA) class IV
  • LVEF < 20%
  • Diastolic left ventricular diameter > 70 mm
Show all 13Show fewer
  • Known history or symptoms of peripheral arterial disease (Intermittent claudication or brachial-ankle index with value < 0,9)
  • Significant leg wounds or infections
  • Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
  • Need for treatment with inotropes or vasopressors
  • Permanent dialysis
  • Manifest acute kidney injury with oliguria
  • Current high-pressure pulmonary edema

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Freja S. Madsen, M.D., Ph.D student contact

+4522111245

freja.sonder.madsen@rsyd.dk

Jess Lambrechtsen, Professor contact

004563202402

Jess.Lambrechtsen@rsyd.dk

Denmark1 site
  • Cardiovascular Research Unit. Odense University Hospital, Svendborg.

    Svendborg, 5700

    Freja S. Madsen, M.D., Ph.D. student, 004522111245, freja.sonder.madsen@rsyd.dk

    Jess Lambrechtsen, Professor, Jess.Lambrechtsen@rsyd.dk

Other trials in Denmark

About this study

Official title: The Efficacy and Safety of Pulsatile Compression Boots in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure. A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate whether pulsatile compression therapy can support heart and kidney function in patients admitted with acute heart failure and fluid accumulation in the legs.

Pulsatile compression boots, which provide pulsatile compression therapy, work by adding a predefined pressure to the legs in a rhythm that enhances mobilization of peripheral edema and improves venous and lymphatic drainage from the lower extremities. This increased venous return (preload) may allow the heart to fill more effectively and pump more strongly, thereby improving circulation. Better circulation can enhance kidney blood flow, help diuretics work more efficiently, and reduce the risk of complications due to worsening heart failure, affecting both the heart and kidneys.

Read more

The investigators want to explore whether adding this therapy to standard diuretic treatment is safe, feasible, and offers benefits compared with standard diuretic treatment alone.

Participants will receive three daily sessions of pulsatile compression therapy alongside usual clinical care.

Read the detailed description

Background:

Compression therapy is an effective treatment for fluid accumulation in the legs (leg edema). Nevertheless, it is only used sporadically and inconsistently in patients with acute heart failure (HF) and leg edema, even though leg edema is a major problem in these hospitalized patients and compression therapy could help alleviate it.

Acute HF is often complicated by leg edema, which causes pain, reduced mobility, and consequently reduced quality of life. It is well-known that compression therapy can reduce leg edema and is standard treatment for leg edema caused by venous and lymphatic disease, but not for HF. Currently, the standard treatment for HF-related leg edema is diuretic medication. However, this is associated with challenges such as worsening kidney function and prolonged hospitalizations.

No randomized controlled trials have evaluated compression therapy as an adjunct to diuretics in HF, and neither Danish nor European HF guidelines mention its use. This represents an important knowledge gap.

Pulsatile compression therapy are a relatively new modality that mimic the natural muscular venous pump activated during walking. Studies show that compression therapy can increase venous return to the heart. This may potentially improve cardiac function, according to the Frank-Starling mechanism, and enhance renal blood flow, thereby allowing more effective fluid removal.

Pulsatile compression therapy thus represents a non-pharmacological approach with the potential to reduce edema, optimize decongestion, shorten hospitalization, and improve quality of life in this large patient population.

This project investigates the clinical efficacy and safety of pulsatile compression therapy in patients hospitalized with acute HF and leg edema through a randomized controlled trial, which will provide important clinical knowledge on compression therapy for HF patients

Aim:

This randomized, controlled clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of using pulsatile compression therapy in combination with IV diuretics in patients with mild to moderate HF admitted with worsening symptoms and bilateral leg edema. The study is designed to:

  1. Assess the impact of pulsatile compression therapy on systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP), as a key hemodynamic parameter.

Hypothesis:

The investigators hypothesize that treatment with a combination of pulsatile compression therapy and diuretics is a safe and feasible approach. The investigators hypothesize that this combined therapy will safely improve hemodynamic parameters, through the activation of the Frank-Starling mechanism, and subsequently improve renal perfusion, compared with standard diuretic therapy alone. This may optimize diuretic response and reduce the risk of developing cardiorenal syndrome.

Methods:

The COMPLEX study is a prospective, randomized, controlled trial conducted at the Cardiovascular Research Unit in Svendborg Hospital, Denmark. The study population consist of patients hospitalized with acute decompensated HF and bilateral leg edema, who are initiated with intravenous diuretics. Onehundred-and-ten participants are anticipated to take part in the study including a pilot study of 10 participants. Participants are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either treatment with pulsatile compression therapy during hospitalisation, or standard treatment without pulsatile compression therapy. All participants will undergo the following examinations at baseline:

  • Ultrasound examination of the heart (echocardiography), the kidneys and the lungs
  • Physical examination, including measurement of leg circumference
  • Blood- and urine samples
  • Registration of "Congestions Score" and "NYHA classification".
  • Patient-reported quality of life will be measured using the validated LYMQOL Leg questionnaire.

These examinations will be repeated after the 5th treatment with pulsatile compression therapy (the control group will undergo assessments at a corresponding time point) and at discharge.

Ninety days after discharge, the investigators will review medical records to assess whether participants have experienced a heart failure-related readmission.

Sample size estimation:

A reduction in the primary endpoint of 15% is anticipated in participants assessed in the COMPLEX study compared to usual care. With a power of 0,80 and a two-sided alpha value of 0,05, 90 participants are needed. Accounting for a 10% dropout rate, approximately 100 participants will need to be included in the study.

Being tested
Pulsatile Compression Boots (PCB)
Keywords
Acute Decompensated Heart Failure, Heart failure, Compression therapy, Cardiorenal syndrome
Medical subject headings
Heart Failure, Cardio-Renal Syndrome

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Pulsatile Compression Boots (PCB)Device

    Also called Pneumatic compression boots, Intermittent pneumatic compression boots, Sequential compression boots, Pneumatic compression devices

    Each boot has eight chambers that can be inflated to between 30 and 240 mmHg. The first chamber that inflates is at ankle level. When this chamber has achieved the predefined pressure for 17 seconds, the next proximal chamber (chamber two) inflates while the pressure in the distal (ankle) chamber is maintained at constant pressure. This sequence continues until the most proximal chamber at the thigh (chamber eight) has been inflated and has held the maximum pressure for 17 seconds. Thereafter, all the chambers open to release the air, and there is a pause for 30 seconds. The sequence then starts again and continues for 30 minutes. This 30-minute sequence is termed one "session". Pulsatile compression therapy will be applied three sessions per day.

Study groups in NCT07377019
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Pulsatile compression boots (PCB)ExperimentalReceives sessions with PCB (YourBoots, CE approved), as an add on intervention during the entire hospital stay. The PCB intervention will be blinded for the treating clinicians as far as possible in a clinical setting. Furthermore, the study will not interfere with the treating clinician' choice of treatment in general.
Receives: Device: Pulsatile Compression Boots (PCB)
Usual careNo interventionReceives either no non-pharmacological treatment or the non-pharmacological treatment chosen by the clinician (e.g. compression bandages), but no compression boots.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) from baseline to hospital discharge.

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography. sPAP will be used as a surrogate marker of the degree of cardiac backward failure.

    Unit: mmHg

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

Secondary outcomes (25)
  1. Change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline to hospital discharge.

    Measured by a blood sample. Renal function will be assessed by eGFR, calculated from serum cystatin C, serving as a surrogate marker of renal function Unit: mL/min/1,73m^2

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  2. Change in NT-proBNP

    Collected by a blood sample. Unit: ng/L

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  3. Change in E/A-ratio

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography.

    Unit: dimensionless

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  4. Change in E/é (septal and lateral)

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography

    Unit: dimensionless

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  5. Change in é septal and lateral

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography Unit: cm/s

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  6. Change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography using Simpson's biplane method. Unit: %

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  7. Change in Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS)

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Unit: %

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  8. Change in left ventricular stroke index

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography Unit: ml/m^2

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  9. Change in cardiac ouput

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Unit: l/min

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  10. Change in cardiac index

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Unit: l/min/m^2

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  11. Change in left atrial end-systolic volume

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography using the apical four-chamber view at end-ventricular systole.

    Unit: ml

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  12. Change in left atrial end-systolic volume index

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography using the apical four-chamber view at end-ventricular systole.

    Unit: ml/m^2

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  13. Change in left atrial strain

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Unit: %

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  14. Change in Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE)

    Measured by echocardiography, using M-mode. Unit: mm.

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  15. Change in right ventricular s'

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Unit: m/s

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  16. Change in right ventricular strain

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Unit: %

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  17. Change in right ventricular end-systolic volume index

    Measured by transthoracic 3D echocardiography . Unit: ml/m^2

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  18. Change in Right Ventricular end-diastolic volume index

    Measured by transthoracic 3D echocardiography Unit: ml/m^2

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  19. Change in right ventricular stroke volume index

    Measured by transthoracic 3D echocardiography Unit: ml/m^2

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  20. Change in the diameter of Vena Cava Inferior

    Measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Unit: mm.

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  21. Change in renal artery peak systolic velocity

    Measured by ultrasound of the distal segment of the renal artery using pulsed-wave Doppler.

    Unit: cm/s

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  22. Change in renal artery end-diastolic velocity

    Measured by ultrasound of the distal segment of the renal artery using pulsed-wave Doppler.

    Unit: cm/s

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  23. Change in renal artery resistive index

    Measured by ultrasound of the distal segment of the renal artery using pulsed-wave Doppler.

    Unit: Dimensionless

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  24. Change in the time-averaged mean and maximum velocities in the renal artery.

    Measured by ultrasound of the distal segment of the renal artery using pulsed-wave Doppler.

    Unit: cm/s

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

  25. Change in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)

    Measured by urine sample. Unit: mg/g

    Measured: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted29 Jan 2026
  2. Study startJan 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionJan 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completionApr 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
100 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07377019
Sponsor's protocol ID
COMPLEX
Acronym
COMPLEX
Status last verified
Jan 2026
First submitted
12 Sep 2025
Last updated
29 Jan 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Pulsatile Compression Boots (PCB) in people with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF), run by Odense University Hospital at 1 site in Denmark.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 21 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Denmark. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Freja S. Madsen, M.D., Ph.D student (+4522111245, freja.sonder.madsen@rsyd.dk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) from baseline to hospital discharge. (time frame: Measured at baseline (Day 1, hospital admission) and at hospital discharge (assessed up to 14 days after admission)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Jan 2026.

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