A Pilot Study: Metformin Therapy in Heart Failure Patients With Early Diabetes or at High Risk of Developing Diabetes (Pre-Diabetes)

A Pilot Study: Metformin Therapy in Heart Failure Patients With Early Diabetes or at High Risk of Developing Diabetes (Pre-Diabetes)

The Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center is conducting a clinical research study that will assess the use of the medication metformin to improve quality of life, exercise capacity, and improved outcomes in heart failure patients with pre-DM or early DM (type II).

If the patient participates in this study, the patient will receive the drug metformin for approximately 3 months. During the study the patient will undergo comprehensive testing which includes blood draws and echocardiograms. The patient will also fill out a questionnaire. The patient must be 18 years old to participate.

Inclusion Criteria:

• symptomatic HF of any etiology
• age ≥ 18 years
• fasting blood sugar equal or greater than 100 mg/dL, or pre-DM (HbA1c 5.7 - 6.4%) or early DM (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%)

Exclusion Criteria:

• current metformin therapy or other anti-diabetic therapy
• previous intolerance to metformin therapy
• renal dysfunction (Cr >1.5 in men or > 1.4 in women or creatinine clearance < 60 ml/minute)
• history of lactic acidosis
• current or planned pregnancy or breast-feeding