Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026

A Pacing-Controlled Procedure for the Assessment of Heart Rate-Dependent Diastolic Functions in Murine Heart Failure Models
Published on: July 21, 2023
Rationale, design, and organization of the Diastolic Heart Failure Assessment Study in Tohoku District (DIAST)
Tsuyoshi Shinozaki1, Jun Watanabe, Junichi Kikuchi
1Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
Insights
This study investigates carvedilol for diastolic heart failure (DHF), aiming to establish effective treatment guidelines for this condition with high mortality and readmission rates.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Diastolic heart failure (DHF) is associated with significant mortality and high readmission rates.
- Currently, evidence-based therapeutic strategies for DHF are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and prognostic efficacy of carvedilol in patients with DHF.
- To establish therapeutic guidelines for DHF.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, randomized open trial (DIAST) involving 160 DHF patients (left-ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%).
- Patients received carvedilol at a target dose of 10 mg twice daily with a mean follow-up of 2 years.
- Primary endpoints included all-cause mortality/hospitalization, cardiovascular mortality/hospitalization, and worsening heart failure.
Main Results:
- Results are pending as the study is ongoing.
- Substudies will explore DHF pathophysiology, including neurohumoral factors, heart rate variability, oxidative stress, and sleep apnea.
Conclusions:
- The DIAST trial is expected to contribute to the establishment of therapeutic guidelines for DHF.
- Findings will inform clinical practice for managing DHF patients.
Background:
High mortality and a high readmission rate characterize diastolic heart failure (DHF), but evidence-based therapeutic strategies have not been established for DHF.
Methods:
The aim of a multicenter, randomized open trial (the Diastolic Heart Failure Assessment Study in Tohoku District, DIAST) is to evaluate the safety and prognostic efficacy of the multiple action non-selective beta-blocker carvedilol in 160 patients with DHF (left-ventricular ejection fraction > or =50%). The target dose of carvedilol is 10 mg twice a day and the mean follow-up is estimated to be 2 years. The primary endpoints are to evaluate (1) all-cause mortality or hospitalization, (2) cardiovascular mortality or hospitalization and (3) worsening heart failure. The secondary endpoints are to assess (1) cardiovascular events, (2) the individual components of the above combined endpoints, (3) the duration of hospitalization, (4) the functional class and exercise capacity and (5) the safety and tolerability. All patients' data are processed using an original registration system on an internet homepage. Several substudies to assess neurohumoral factors, heart rate variability, oxidative stress and sleep apnea will clarify the pathophysiology of DHF.
Conclusions:
The DIAST will contribute to establish therapeutic guidelines for DHF.
Related Concept Videos
Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions
Heart Failure V: Medical Management
