AzTrials
AzTrials

Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)Phase 3EMPA-CONNCT07038356

Effects of Continued Administration of Empagliflozin in Patients With Heart Failure on Active SGLT2 Inhibitor Treatment Admitted for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

A Phase 3 study testing Empagliflozin 10 MG Oral Tablet [Jardiance] in people with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF), run by Christian Schulze at 12 sites in Germany.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the hypothesis that the continuation of empagliflozin during decongestive therapy in the setting of acute decompensated and hospitalized heart failure patients is not inferior compared to therapy cessation during the acute heart failure hospitalization. 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?
Empagliflozin 10 MG Oral Tablet [Jardiance]
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
536 participants
Where
12 sitesGermany
Study dates
8 Dec 2025to 30 Jun 2027
Phase
Phase 3
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

  • Patients (age ≥ 18 years) with acute decompensated heart failure (HF) according to clinical assessment on active therapy with a SGLT2 inhibitor
  • Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) >100 pg/ml or N-terminal pro-BNP (NTproBNP) >300 pg/ml
  • Written informed consent obtained
  • Women of childbearing potential: negative pregnancy test and use of a highly effective method of contraception

Who cannot join

  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus
  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) with eGFR<20 ml/min, or end-stage renal failure with the need for chronic dialysis treatment
  • Acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring dialysis treatment
  • Known intolerance to empagliflozin
  • Acute heart failure without signs of congestion ("dry" patient)
  • Need for hemofiltration or any other form of extracorporeal therapy
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Previous participation in this trial or recent participation in another clinical trial (within the last 4 weeks before inclusion)
  • Identification of any causes of heart failure leading to decompensation that needs urgent management (like acute coronary syndrome, severe unstable arrhythmias, mechanical causes, acute pulmonary embolism)
  • Incapacity to understand and / or to provide written informed consent
  • Obvious uncontrolled substance abuse
  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding

Trial locations and contacts

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

12 sites in 1 country

Germany12 sites, 12 recruiting
  • Kerckhoff-Klinik GmbH

    Bad Nauheim, 61231

    Andreas Rieth, Dr., +4960329966151, a.rieth@kerckhoff-klinik.de

    Recruiting
  • Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Klinik für Kardiologie, Angiologie und Intensivmedizin

    Berlin, 12203

    Bettina Heidecker, PD Dr. med., +4930450513728, bettina.heidecker@dhzc-charite.de

    Recruiting
  • Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Herzzentrum

    Bonn, 53127

    Georg Nickenig, Prof. Dr. med., +4922828715217, georg.nickenig@ukbonn.de

    Recruiting
  • Herzzentrum Dresden GmbH Universitaetsklinik

    Dresden, 01307

    Ephraim Winzer, Dr., +4935145025238, ephraim.winzer@tu-dresden.de

    Recruiting
  • Universitaetsmedizin Goettingen

    Göttingen, 37075

    Stephan von Haehling, Prof., +495513968196, stephan.von.haehling@med.uni-goettingen.de

    Recruiting
  • Universitätsklinikum Halle (Saale), Klinik für Innere Medizin III

    Halle, 06120

    Daniel Sedding, Prof. Dr. med., +493455572601, Daniel.Sedding@uk-halle.de

    Recruiting
  • Jena University Hospital

    Jena, Thuringia, 07747

    Julian Westphal, Dr., 036419324199, Julian.Westphal@med.uni-jena.de

    Recruiting
  • Universitaetsklinikum Leipzig AöR

    Leipzig, 04103

    Rolf Wachter, Prof., +493419712825, rolf.wachter@medizin.uni-leipzig.de

    Recruiting
  • Herzzentrum Leipzig GmbH

    Leipzig, 04289

    Holger Thiele, Prof., +49341865252500, Holger.Thiele@helios-gesundheit.de

    Recruiting
  • Universitaetsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universitaet Mainz KöR

    Mainz, 55131

    Moritz Brandt, Dr., +496131178176, moritz.brandt@unimedizin-mainz.de

    Recruiting
  • LMU Klinikum Muenchen AöR

    München, 81377

    Stefan Kääb, Prof., +4989440072310, stefan.kaab@med.uni-muenchen.de

    Recruiting
  • Rostock University Medical Center

    Rostock, 18057

    Hüseyin Ince, Prof., +493814947701, hueseyin.ince@med.uni-rostock.de

    Recruiting

Other trials in Germany

About this study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the hypothesis that the continuation of empagliflozin during decongestive therapy in the setting of acute decompensated and hospitalized heart failure patients is not inferior compared to therapy cessation during the acute heart failure hospitalization.

Randomized treatment (plus standard medical care) in patients with acute decompensated heart failure is one (1) tablet daily of empagliflozin 10 mg or matching placebo during the in-hospital stay (up to a maximum of 30 days), followed by treatment with empagliflozin 10 mg daily after discharge (but no later than day 31) until day 90.

Read more

The primary outcome measure is the combined hierarchical endpoint of all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization and worsening renal function at 90 days after admission.

Secondary outcome measures are the effects on urine output, diuretic efficiency, quality-of-life and the need for further administration of diuretics.

Participants will

  • Take one tablet of study medication once daily (day 1 to day 90)
  • Restrict fluid intake to 1.5 liters of fluid per day and record the daily fluid intake for the study from day 1 to day 6 in the patient diary
  • Measure the urine output (day 1 to day 6)
  • Fill in Questionnaires (EQ-5D-3L (3-level version of the EuroQol five dimensional descriptive system), KCCQ-12 (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire comprising 12 items)) on day 0 (Baseline), at hospital discharge, and on day 30
Being tested
Empagliflozin 10 MG Oral Tablet [Jardiance], Placebo

What participants receive

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

  • Empagliflozin 10 MG Oral Tablet [Jardiance]Drug

    Randomized treatment with 10 mg empagliflozin (Jardiance, one tablet) daily from day 1 until the day of hospital discharge, but no longer than 30 days, followed by 10 mg empagliflozin (Jardiance, one tablet) daily until day 90

  • PlaceboDrug

    Randomized treatment with placebo (one tablet) daily from day 1 until the day of hospital discharge, but no longer than 30 days, followed by 10 mg empagliflozin (Jardiance, one tablet) daily until day 90

Study groups in NCT07038356
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
controlPlacebo comparatorRandomized treatment with placebo (one tablet) daily from day 1 until the day of hospital discharge, but no longer than 30 days, followed by 10 mg empagliflozin (Jardiance, one tablet) daily until day 90.
Receives: Drug: Placebo
interventionActive comparatorDrug: Empagliflozin (10 mg/day), film-coated tablet Randomized treatment with 10 mg empagliflozin (Jardiance, one tablet) or placebo daily from day 1 until the day of hospital discharge, but no longer than 30 days, followed by 10 mg empagliflozin (Jardiance, one tablet) daily until day 90
Receives: Drug: Empagliflozin 10 MG Oral Tablet [Jardiance]

What is being measured

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

  1. Four-step hierarchical composite primary endpoint; win ratio based on the following parameters (day 90): time to all-cause death, number of heart failure events per patient, time to first heart failure event, eGFR decrease from baseline to day 90

    The study uses a four-step hierarchical composite primary endpoint (win ratio):

    1. time to all-cause death, days (day 90)
    2. number of heart failure events per patient (day 90)
    3. time to first heart failure event, days (day 90)
    4. eGFR decrease from baseline to day 90 (with a between-patient threshold defined as ≥5 ml/min/1.73 m²)

    Measured: day 90

Secondary outcomes (20)
  1. Cardiovascular and total mortality on day 90

    Measured: day 90

  2. Number of patients alive and without re-hospitalization on day 90

    Measured: day 90

  3. Re-hospitalization after initial discharge, including reason: time to first rehospitalization after discharge

    Measured: day 90

  4. Re-hospitalization after initial discharge, including reason: numbers of re-hospitalizations

    Measured: day 90

  5. Number of patients with a decrease in eGFR of 5 ml/min/1.73 m² or more from baseline to day 90

    Measured: day 90

  6. Daily and cumulative urine output (UOP, ml) measured from day 1 until day 6

    Measured: day 1 until day 6

  7. Diuretic efficiency (ml urine per mg furosemide equivalent) from day 1 to day 6

    Measured: day 1 until day 6

  8. Change in body weight from baseline to day 1, day 3, day 6, discharge (supposed between day 6-10), day 30, and day 90

    Measured: day 1, day 3, day 6, discharge (supposed between day 6-10), day 30, and day 90

  9. Renal function at baseline, day 3, day 6, day 30, and day 90

    • Decrease in eGFR of >20 ml/min/1.73 m2
    • Doubling of serum creatinine
    • Need for renal replacement therapy
    • Total urinary sodium excretion and fractional excretion of sodium

    Measured: baseline, day 3, day 6, day 30, and day 90

  10. Liver function: bilirubin (nmol/ml) at baseline, day 3, day 6, day 30, and day 90

    Measured: baseline, day 3, day 6, day 30, and day 90

  11. Liver function: serum aminotransferases (µmol/l*s) at baseline, day 3, day 6, day 30, and day 90

    Measured: baseline, day 3, day 6, day 30, and day 90

  12. Liver function: relevant change in coagulation status (Quick/INR, %, 3X upper limit of normal) at baseline, day 3, day 6, day 30, and day 90

    Measured: baseline, day 3, day 6, day 30, and day 90

  13. Change in NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro Brain natriuretic peptide, pg/ml) (alternatively calculated from BNP, Brain natriuretic peptide, pg/ml) from baseline to day 6, day 30, and day 90

    Measured: baseline to day 6, day 30, and day 90

  14. Quality of life (EQ-5D-3L questionnaire, 3-level version of the EuroQol five dimensional descriptive system ) on day 0, at hospital discharge (supposed between day 6-10), and on day 30

    Quality of life: EQ-5D-3L questionaire. The EQ-5D-3L questionnaire consists of two parts: part one contains questions about patients mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression, with scores from 1 (no problem), 2 (some problems), and 3 (extreme problems). Part two measures patients health on a scale from 0 (the worst imaginable health) to 100 (the best imaginable health), on day 0, at hospital discharge (supposed between day 6-10), and on day 30

    Measured: day 0, at hospital discharge (supposed between day 6-10), and on day 30

  15. Severity of heart failure (HF): KCCQ-12 questionnaire (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire comprising 12 items) on day 0, at hospital discharge (supposed between day 6-10), and on day 30

    KCCQ-12 questionnaire: scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health status, on day 0, at hospital discharge (supposed between day 6-10), and on day 30

    Measured: day 0, at hospital discharge (supposed between day 6-10), and on day 30

  16. Intermediate Care Unit (IMC) / Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay, days until discharge (supposed between day 6-10)

    Measured: discharge (supposed between day 6-10)

  17. Single parameters of primary endpoint: time to all-cause death (day 90)

    Measured: day 90

  18. Single parameters of primary endpoint: number of heart failure events per patient (day 90)

    Measured: day 90

  19. Single parameters of primary endpoint: time to first heart failure event (day 90)

    Measured: day 90

  20. Single parameters of primary endpoint: eGFR decrease from baseline to day 90 (ml/min/1.73 m²)

    Measured: day 90

Timeline

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

  1. First posted26 Jun 2025
  2. Study start8 Dec 2025
  3. Primary completion30 Apr 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Jun 2027 (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 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
536 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07038356
Sponsor's protocol ID
EMPA-CON_ZKSJ0162
Other IDs
2024-517977-26-00
Acronym
EMPA-CON
Status last verified
Nov 2026
First submitted
23 May 2025
Last updated
4 Nov 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing Empagliflozin 10 MG Oral Tablet [Jardiance] in people with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF), run by Christian Schulze at 12 sites in Germany.

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 4 inclusion and 11 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 12 sites in Germany. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

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?

Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Four-step hierarchical composite primary endpoint; win ratio based on the following parameters (day 90): time to all-cause death, number of heart failure events per patient, time to first heart failure event, eGFR decrease from baseline to day 90 (time frame: day 90). 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 4 Nov 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in