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Heart Failure Due to Coronary Artery DiseasePhase 3NCT07725484

Efficacy of Lipoic Acid on Chronic Ischemic Heart Failure Patients

A Phase 3 study testing Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) in people with Heart Failure Due to Coronary Artery Disease, run by Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital at 23 sites in China.

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

Chronic heart failure is a clinical condition caused by structural heart disease and is characterized by reduced pumping function, fluid retention, and abnormal activation of neurohormonal systems. It represents the advanced stage of many cardiovascular diseases and remains a major global health challenge. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 75 years
What is being tested?
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
1,188 participants
Where
23 sitesChina
Study dates
1 Nov 2026to 1 Dec 2030
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 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Participants must meet all of the following criteria:
  • Aged ≥18 years and <75 years;
  • A history of chronic heart failure for more than 3 months or clinically documented symptoms of heart failure persisting for more than 3 months;
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% as assessed by echocardiography;
  • A history of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) more than 3 months prior to enrollment;
  • New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II-IV;
  • Receipt of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for at least 2 weeks;
  • Willingness to participate in the study, with the ability to understand and provide written informed consent.

Who cannot join

  • Participants meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded:
  • Previous cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT);
  • Severe hepatic dysfunction, defined as serum transaminase levels exceeding 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), or severe renal dysfunction, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m²;
  • Uncontrolled malignant arrhythmias or progressively worsening unstable angina;
  • Malignancies, lymphoma, leukemia, or other serious conditions associated with a life expectancy of less than 1 year;
  • Participation in another investigational drug trial within 4 weeks prior to enrollment or ongoing receipt of any investigational treatment other than the study medication;
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  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women;
  • Known hypersensitivity or allergy to vitamin B preparations;
  • Hemodynamic instability;
  • Heart failure caused by restrictive cardiomyopathy, active myocarditis, constrictive pericarditis, hypertrophic (obstructive) cardiomyopathy, or primary valvular heart disease;
  • Any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, makes the participant unsuitable for the study.

Trial locations and contacts

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

23 sites in 1 country

China23 sites
  • Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University

    Dalian, Liaoning

    Qin Yu, 0411-62893000, yuqin@dlu.edu.cn

  • The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University

    Dalian

    Ying Liu, 0411-83635963, yingliu.med@gmail.com

  • Fujian provincial hospital

    Fuzhou, Fujian, 35000

    Yansong Guo, 0591-87557768, ysguo1234@126.com

  • Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital

    Guangdong

    Liwen Li, 020-83827812, gdghllw@163.com

  • The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University

    Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080

    Chen Liu, +86-20-87755766, liuch75@mail.sysu.edu.cn

  • The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine

    Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003

    Yan hui, 0571-87236666, michelleyan@zju.edu.cn

  • The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Anhui Provincial Hospital)

    Hefei, Anhui, 230001

    Kangyu Chen, +86-551-62283114, ahslyycky@126.com

  • Qilu Hospital of Shandong University

    Jinan, Shandong, 250012

    Xiaoping Ji, +86-531-82169400, jxp64@163.com

  • Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University

    Jining, Shandong, 272029

    Cheng Shen, +86-537-5667777, shenc1988@mail.jnmc.edu.cn

  • Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University

    Luoyang, Henan, 471009

    Xuewei Chang, +86-379-63892222, xueway@126.com

  • Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University

    Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009

    Jiayi Tong, +86-25-83272114, 101007925@seu.edu.cn

  • The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University

    Qingdao, Shandong, 266000

    Wenzhong Zhang, +86-532-96166, xxmczwz@163.com

  • Quzhou People's Hospital (Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University)

    Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000

    Yunkai Wang, +86-570-8895120, cloudopen002@126.com

  • Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University

    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200032

    Aijun Sun, 021-64041990, sun.aijun@zs-hosipital.sh.cn

  • Shanghai Putuo District Central Hospital

    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200062

    Liu Zongjun, +86-21-22233222, liuzongjun1548@shutcm.edu.cn

  • Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine

    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200120

    Wei Han, +86-21-38804518, dr.hanwei@foxmail.com

  • Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital

    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200237

    Jing Yang, +86-21-36682220, jing_yang@fudan.edu.cn

  • Wusong Hospital, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University

    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200940

    Lei Shen, +86-21-56162417, 13818947416@163.com

  • Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University

    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 201700

    Haibo Liu, +86-21-67009999, haiboliu@fudan.edu

  • The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University

    Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001

    Huiyu Yang, +86-351-3365400, yanghuiyu2010@126.com

  • Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital

    Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030024

    Xiurui Ma, +86-351-5275550, 1234maer@163.com

  • The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University

    Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061

    Ling Bai, +86-29-85323805, bailingb21@sina.com

  • The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

    Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052

    Junnan Tang, +86-371-66913114, fcctangjn@zzu.edu.cn

Other trials in China

About this study

Official title: Lipoic Acid in Chronic Ischemic Heart Failure: Assessment of Reduction in Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events

Chronic heart failure is a clinical condition caused by structural heart disease and is characterized by reduced pumping function, fluid retention, and abnormal activation of neurohormonal systems. It represents the advanced stage of many cardiovascular diseases and remains a major global health challenge. Despite progress in medical and interventional therapies, patients with chronic heart failure continue to experience high rates of death, hospitalization, and long-term disability.

Ischemic heart failure, which develops as a result of coronary artery disease and prior myocardial infarction, is the most common form of chronic heart failure. Current treatment strategies, including guideline-directed medical therapy and revascularization procedures, can improve symptoms and outcomes but do not fully address the residual risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Therefore, additional therapeutic approaches are needed to further improve long-term prognosis in this population.

Read more

Abnormal myocardial energy metabolism is a key pathological feature of heart failure. Mitochondria play a central role in energy production, and impaired mitochondrial function contributes to disease progression. Previous studies by our group have identified mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) as an important regulator of myocardial metabolic homeostasis and cardiac protection under ischemic and stress conditions.

Alpha-lipoic acid is a vitamin B-related compound with antioxidant properties and has been widely used in clinical practice for other indications. Increasing evidence suggests that alpha-lipoic acid may also exert protective effects in cardiovascular diseases, potentially through modulation of mitochondrial function. Experimental studies have shown that alpha-lipoic acid can restore ALDH2 activity and improve cardiac function in models of heart failure.

Based on these findings, we conducted an exploratory randomized controlled trial between 2019 and 2023 to evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid in patients with ischemic heart failure. In this multicenter study, patients receiving alpha-lipoic acid showed favorable trends toward reduced risk of death and heart failure-related hospitalization, as well as significant improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction and exercise capacity, without an increase in adverse events.

Taken together, prior mechanistic research and early clinical evidence support the hypothesis that alpha-lipoic acid may provide additional benefit when used as adjunctive therapy in patients with chronic ischemic heart failure. The present study is designed to further evaluate whether long-term supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid can reduce major adverse cardiovascular events and improve clinical outcomes in this population.

Being tested
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA), placebo
Keywords
alpha lipoic acid, major adverse cardiovascular events, Ischemic heart failure

What participants receive

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

  • Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)Drug

    After enrollment, patients received Alpha-Lipoic Acid drug at a dose of 600 mg per day for 24 months.

  • placeboDrug

    After enrollment, patients received placebo drug at a dose of 600 mg per day for 24 months.

Study groups in NCT07725484
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
placebo groupPlacebo comparatorNot described
Receives: Drug: placebo
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)ExperimentalNot described
Receives: Drug: Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)

What is being measured

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

  1. Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE)

    Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) are defined as a composite outcome that includes cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, non-fatal stroke, and non-fatal myocardial infarction occurring during the follow-up period. The primary outcome is the occurrence of the first MACE event during follow-up, identified using standard clinical criteria and confirmed through medical records.

    Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.

  2. Hospitalization for Heart Failure

    Unplanned admission to the hospital due to worsening heart failure symptoms that require intravenous treatment or intensified medical care during follow-up.

    Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.

Secondary outcomes (10)
  1. Hospitalization for Heart Failure

    Unplanned hospitalization due to worsening heart failure symptoms occurring during the follow-up period.

    Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.

  2. Non-fatal Stroke

    A new stroke event that does not result in death, diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and imaging findings, occurring during the follow-up period.

    Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.

  3. Non-fatal Myocardial Infarction

    A new myocardial infarction that does not result in death, diagnosed according to standard clinical criteria, occurring during the follow-up period.

    Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.

  4. All-cause Mortality

    Death from any cause occurring during the follow-up period.

    Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.

  5. Change in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF)

    Change in left ventricular ejection fraction from baseline to 24 months after randomization, measured by echocardiography.

    Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.

  6. Change in 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD)

    Change in the distance walked during the 6-minute walk test from baseline to 24 months after randomization.

    Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.

  7. Change in NT-proBNP Level

    Change in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels from baseline to 24 months after randomization.

    Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.

  8. Change in Quality of Life Score (KCCQ)

    Change in quality of life as assessed by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score from baseline to 24 months after randomization.

    Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.

  9. Unplanned Coronary Revascularization

    Unplanned coronary revascularization due to acute myocardial ischemia during follow-up, including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This outcome is defined as a binary event.

    Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.

  10. Heart Transplantation

    Occurrence of orthotopic heart transplantation performed as definitive treatment for end-stage heart failure during the follow-up period. This outcome is defined as a binary event.

    Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.

Timeline

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

  1. First posted24 Jul 2026
  2. Study start1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion1 Nov 2030 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Dec 2030 (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
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator
Enrolment
1,188 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07725484
Sponsor's protocol ID
KY2026037
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
21 Jul 2026
Last updated
28 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Deidentified individual participant data will not be made publicly available because the study includes sensitive clinical and genetic information, and no mechanism or participant consent for sharing data with external researchers has been established. Aggregate study results will be disseminated through ClinicalTrials.gov and peer-reviewed publications.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) in people with Heart Failure Due to Coronary Artery Disease, run by Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital at 23 sites in China.

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 8 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 23 sites in China. 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?

Contact Aijun Sun (021-64041990, sun.aijun@zs-hospital.sh.cn), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 24 months.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 28 Oct 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.

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