UC Davis Trials Innovative Heart Failure Treatment

New minimally invasive procedure aims to reduce pressure and improve symptoms for patients struggling with heart failure.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Researchers at UC Davis Health are hosting a clinical trial for a new minimally invasive treatment for heart failure patients. The procedure uses a catheter to create a small opening between the heart's left and right chambers, which helps release pressure on the left side of the heart and improve symptoms like shortness of breath and difficulty with routine activities.

Why it matters

Heart failure affects millions of Americans, and many patients continue to struggle with debilitating symptoms even with medication. This new procedure offers a potential alternative treatment option for those who have limited interventional choices.

The details

During the investigational Alleviant System procedure, a cardiologist uses a catheter to create a small 7-millimeter opening between the left and right atria of the heart. This helps move extra blood from the high-pressure left side to the lower-pressure right side, reducing congestion and improving symptoms. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either the active treatment or a sham procedure, and their outcomes will be tracked through surveys, echocardiograms, and blood tests.

  • The clinical trial is currently underway at UC Davis Health.

The players

Tai Pham

Assistant clinical professor of interventional and structural cardiology and co-investigator of the study at UC Davis Health.

Shirin Jiménez

Health services clinical professor of cardiovascular medicine and co-investigator of the study at UC Davis Health.

Alleviant System

An investigational, non-surgical treatment that aims to improve heart failure symptoms without placing a permanent implant in the heart.

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What they’re saying

“Historically, heart failure care has relied mostly on medications and treating root causes, leaving patients with stable heart failure with limited interventional choices. This clinical trial is especially exciting because it introduces a new therapeutic approach for a group that has had few options.”

— Tai Pham, Assistant clinical professor of interventional and structural cardiology

“This technology brings a much-needed option to patients in our area who are still experiencing symptoms. Even with today's excellent medications, many of our patients still struggle with heart failure. This gives us a new treatment that is minimally invasive and low-risk.”

— Shirin Jiménez, Health services clinical professor of cardiovascular medicine

What’s next

Researchers are currently enrolling patients who meet the study criteria at UC Davis Health. The trial will track participants' outcomes over time to evaluate the effectiveness of the Alleviant System procedure.

The takeaway

This innovative clinical trial offers hope for heart failure patients who have struggled to find effective treatment options beyond medication. If successful, the minimally invasive Alleviant System procedure could provide a new way to reduce pressure and improve quality of life for those living with this chronic condition.