Intestinal Microbiota Transplantation for Chronic Heart Failure

(IMT Trial)

This trial explores whether replacing gut bacteria with healthy donor bacteria can benefit individuals with chronic heart failure. The aim is to determine if Intestinal Microbiota Transplantation (IMT) can enhance heart health by restoring healthy gut bacteria. While already used for severe diarrhea, this treatment remains experimental for heart failure. Participants must have managed their heart failure with stable treatment for at least a month and be comfortable swallowing capsules. As a Phase 1 trial, the research focuses on understanding how the treatment works in people, offering participants the chance to be among the first to receive this innovative treatment.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you must be on stable treatment for heart failure for one month before joining the study.

Research has shown that Intestinal Microbiota Transplantation (IMT) is usually well-tolerated. Studies have found that most side effects, such as stomach upset, are mild to moderate and rarely lead to discontinuation of treatment. In the U.S., more than 10,000 IMT procedures are performed annually for conditions like infectious diarrhea, where it is already approved. This indicates that the treatment is relatively safe, although it remains under study for chronic heart failure.¹²³⁴⁵

Unlike the standard treatments for chronic heart failure, which typically include medications like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics, Intestinal Microbiota Transplantation (IMT) offers a novel approach by targeting the gut microbiome. Researchers are excited about IMT because it harnesses beneficial bacteria from healthy donors to potentially improve heart function and overall health. This innovative method could provide a new pathway for treatment by addressing the underlying gut-heart connection, offering hope for more personalized and effective management of chronic heart failure.

Research has shown that people with chronic heart failure (CHF) often have different gut bacteria compared to healthy individuals, and this imbalance might affect heart health. This trial will explore the potential of Intestinal Microbiota Transplantation (IMT) to restore healthy gut bacteria in participants with CHF. IMT is already an approved treatment for infectious diarrhea, with over 10,000 procedures performed each year in the US. Early findings suggest that IMT might improve heart function by balancing gut bacteria, which can influence inflammation and heart health. Although more research is needed specifically for CHF, the mechanism of IMT offers hope for its potential benefits.¹²³⁶⁷