Alternative Imaging Modalities in Ischemic Heart Failure (AIMI-HF) IMAGE HF Project I-A: study protocol for a...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a leading cause of heart failure (HF).
• The effectiveness of revascularization in IHD patients with HF remains uncertain.
• Lack of comparative studies on cardiac imaging modalities hinders optimal patient selection for revascularization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the impact of different HF imaging strategies on clinical outcomes.
• To evaluate the prognostic value of standard versus advanced imaging in ischemic HF.
• To inform clinical decision-making and healthcare policy regarding advanced cardiac imaging.

Main Methods:

• The Alternative Imaging Modalities in Ischemic Heart Failure (AIMI-HF) trial will enroll 1,261 patients with ischemic HF.
• Patients will be randomized to standard (SPECT) or advanced (CMR, PET) imaging strategies.
• A registry will include patients not randomized but assigned imaging based on clinical decisions.

Main Results:

• The primary endpoint is a composite of cardiac death, MI, cardiac arrest, and re-hospitalization.
• Analysis will compare the effectiveness of imaging strategies in predicting clinical outcomes.
• The trial aims to provide objective data on the prognostic information from various imaging tests.

Conclusions:

• AIMI-HF is a large randomized trial assessing standard and advanced imaging in ischemic cardiomyopathy and HF.
• Findings will complement existing research like STICH and PARR-2.
• Results will guide policy on investment and adoption of advanced cardiac imaging technologies.