Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov
Epicardial Adipose Tissue Composition and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
MRI of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Composition: Development of Methods and Application to Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Epicardial Adipose Tissue Composition and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (NCT07178145) is a Phase 4 interventional studying Heart Failure Preserved Ejection Fraction and Epicardial Adipose Tissue, sponsored by University of Virginia. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.
About This Trial
This study seeks to develop improved cardiac MRI (CMR) methods to quantify epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) composition and to demonstrate the advantages of EAT composition imaging (a) in advancing the understanding of the relationship between EAT and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and (b) for understanding mechanisms of and guiding medical therapy in HFpEF. The investigators recently developed the first method for quantifying EAT FAC in human subjects, utilizing a rate-6 accelerated radial 2D multi-echo gradient-echo breathhold acquisition with a local low rank reconstruction. In this project the first specific aim is to develop a rapid free-breathing 3D EAT FAC MRI method that reduces motion-related artifacts, increases coverage, and facilitates higher spatial resolution and improved FAC reproducibility. The second specific aim is to show that EAT FAC is more strongly associated than EAT volume with cardiometabolic HFpEF. In this context, individuals with known or suspected HFpEF will undergo CMR, echocardiography, and other testing to (a) diagnose cardiometabolic HFpEF; (b) characterize features associated with the severity of HFpEF; and (c) assess EAT volume and FAC. The investigators will determine if EAT FAC is more strongly associated than EAT volume with HFpEF and with features associated with the severity of HFpEF. The third specific aim is to show, in the context of cardiometabolic HFpEF and pre-HFpEF, (a) that GLP-1 receptor agonism with semaglutide (SEMA) shifts the EAT FAC to a less proinflammatory profile and (b) that baseline EAT FAC is a stronger predictor than EAT volume of improved cardiovascular function due to SEMA. Cardiometabolic HFpEF and pre-HFpEF subjects will undergo echocardiography and CMR with EAT FAC at baseline and after 3 months to serve as a self-control. Subjects will then undergo repeat imaging 6 months after the initiation of SEMA. The change in FAC after treatment with SEMA will be compared to the change in FAC prior to SEMA. Data will be analyzed to show that SEMA changes EAT FAC, and that baseline EAT FAC is a stronger predictor than EAT volume of improvements in severity of HFpEF.
What Stage of Research Is This?
Phase 4 studies happen after a treatment has been approved by the FDA. They monitor long-term safety, real-world effectiveness, and any rare side effects that only emerge in larger populations over longer periods. Phase 4 results sometimes lead to label changes, additional warnings, or — rarely — withdrawal of approval.
This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.
Target enrollment of 192 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Heart Failure Preserved Ejection Fraction subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.
Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)
These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.
Original Eligibility Criteria
View original clinical language
Treatments Being Tested
GLP-1RA
Receive 6 months of GLP-1RA (Semaglutide) treatment starting at 0.25mg once weekly and then the dose will be up titrated as tolerated every four weeks to once-weekly doses of 0.5, 1.0, 1.7, and 2.4 mg until a maximum dose of 2.4mg (or the subject's maximally tolerated dose, if the subject's maximally tolerated dose is \<2.4 mg) is reached after 16 weeks.
Locations (1)
Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.
How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial
Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT07178145), the sponsor (University of Virginia), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.
Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.
Authoritative Sources
The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCT07178145 clinical trial studying?
This study seeks to develop improved cardiac MRI (CMR) methods to quantify epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) composition and to demonstrate the advantages of EAT composition imaging (a) in advancing the understanding of the relationship between EAT and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and (b) for understanding mechanisms of and guiding medical therapy in HFpEF. The investigators recently developed the first method for quantifying EAT FAC in human subjects, utilizing a rate-6 accelerated radial 2D multi-echo gradient-echo breathhold acquisition with a local low rank reconstr… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.
Who can participate in NCT07178145?
Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.
How do I contact the trial site for NCT07178145?
Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.
Is participating in a clinical trial safe?
Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.
Where can I verify the data on this page?
Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.
How This Page Is Built
Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT07178145. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT07178145. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."
Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.
Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.