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A Study of Stellate Ganglion Block and / or Reserpine in Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension

Phase 1
Withdrawn
Conditions
Pulmonary Artery Hypertension
Interventions
Procedure: stellate ganglion block
Registration Number
NCT02684786
Lead Sponsor
Mayo Clinic
Brief Summary

Pulmonary hypertension Group 2 (PH 2) associated with left-sided heart disease is relatively common, is associated with a poor prognosis, and unfortunately there are no proven medical treatments beyond attempts at correcting the left sided heart disease. Many PH 2 patients have evidence of active constriction of blood vessels from increased nerve traffic. Use of agents or procedures which produce a reversible chemical blockage of this nerve traffic have not been systematically tested in PH 2. The investigators will test whether acute interruption of sympathetic nervous system tone, which local anesthetic block of the stellate ganglion in the neck, will improve PH2, and also test whether the high blood pressure drug reserpine, which blocks sympathetic nerve activity, will do so during a one month trial period.

Detailed Description

Background. Pulmonary hypertension Group 2 (PH 2) associated with left-sided heart disease is relatively common, is associated with a poor prognosis, and unfortunately there are no proven medical treatments beyond attempts at correcting the left sided heart disease. Many PH 2 patients have evidence of vasoconstriction and increased sympathetic nervous system activity. Use of agents or procedures which produce a reversible chemical sympathectomy have not been systematically tested in PH 2.

Methods. Two groups will be eligible for participation: Group 1 (n=10): Patients with PH 2 previously documented by echocardiography (echo), 6 minute walk test, biomarkers, and right heart catheterization (RHC) will receive reserpine, 0.05 mg per day for two weeks, then, 0.1 mg per day for an additional two weeks. After one month, patients will be reassessed for New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and drug side effects, echocardiography, 6 minute walk assessment, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Group 2 patients (n=10) will have clinically suspected PH 2 and be scheduled to undergo clinically indicated RHC. If during RHC PH 2 is confirmed, after assessment of nitric oxide responsiveness, their baseline hemodynamics will be re-established over 10 minutes, and a left stellate ganglion block with lidocaine will be performed, and immediate hemodynamic responsiveness assessed. Four hours post-procedure, a side effect questionnaire will be obtained. Group 2 patients who complete RHC will then begin reserpine treatment in the same manner as Group I patients.

Hypothesis and Impact. PH 2 is the most common type of pulmonary hypertension. The current diagnostic and therapeutic strategy aims to treat the left sided heart disease in attempt to normalize pulmonary artery pressure. The place of selective pulmonary vasodilators is undefined. The investigator's approach addresses inhibition of adverse pulmonary vasoconstriction mediated by the sympathetic nervous system in PH 2.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
WITHDRAWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
Not specified
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Scheduled for right heart catheterizationstellate ganglion blockPatients with suspected group 2 pulmonary hypertension by clinical and non-invasive assessments and are scheduled to undergo clinically indicated right heart catheterization will have pulmonary artery pressures measured. If qualifying severity of group 2 pulmonary hypertension is present, after clinically indicated assessment of inhaled nitric oxide, their baseline hemodynamics will be allowed to re-equilibrate over 10 minutes, and then ultrasound guided left stellate ganglion block with lidocaine will be performed, and hemodynamics reassessed 10 minutes afterward
Scheduled for right heart catheterizationlidocainePatients with suspected group 2 pulmonary hypertension by clinical and non-invasive assessments and are scheduled to undergo clinically indicated right heart catheterization will have pulmonary artery pressures measured. If qualifying severity of group 2 pulmonary hypertension is present, after clinically indicated assessment of inhaled nitric oxide, their baseline hemodynamics will be allowed to re-equilibrate over 10 minutes, and then ultrasound guided left stellate ganglion block with lidocaine will be performed, and hemodynamics reassessed 10 minutes afterward
Prior right heart catheterizationreserpinePatients with qualifying hemodynamics from prior right heart catheterization will receive open label reserpine, 0.05 mg by mouth daily for two weeks, then 0.10 mg by mouth daily for two weeks, and then have repeat non-invasive assessments of status.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by CTCAE v4.0one month

Adverse events of interest are for stellate ganglion block: pulmonary edema, bradycardia requiring treatment, hypotension requiring treatment, arrhythmia, pneumothorax, hoarseness, dysphagia, globus, left upper extremity weakness. For reserpine, heart failure hospitalization, syncope, all cause hospitalization, bradycardia requiring treatment, hypotension requiring treatment, new arrhythmia, edema requiring an increase in diuretics, depression, lethargy, nasal stuffiness, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, falls, nightmares, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, dyspepsia.

Adverse events classed as serious:

* Life threatening serious adverse events including acute coronary syndrome with active ischemia, fatal arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, acute kidney injury, cardiogenic shock, stroke, pulmonary embolization, arterial and/or venous thrombosis, systemic embolization, severe hypotension, respiratory failure and death

* Prolonged hospitalization or rehospitalization

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Effect of stellate ganglion block on heart rateOne hour

Heart rate before and after stellate ganglion block

Change in 6 minute walk distance from one month of reserpine therapyOne month

Six minute walk distance, meters, baseline compared to one month

Change in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) from one month of reserpine therapyOne month

BNP, pg/ml, baseline compared to one month

Change in Doppler derived mean pulmonary artery pressure from one month of reserpine therapyOne month

Mean pulmonary artery pressure estimate, mm Hg

Change in blood pressure from one month of reserpine therapyOne month

Blood pressure, mm Hg, baseline versus one month

Number of participants with successful stellate ganglion blockOne hour

Stellate block: frequency of the occurrence of ptosis and conjunctival flushing.

Change in Minnesota Living with heart failure questionnaire from one month of reserpine therapyOne month

Minnesota Living with heart failure questionnaire aggregate score, baseline versus one month

Hemodynamic effect of stellate ganglion blockOne hour

Cardiac output, liters per minute, before and after stellate ganglion block

Change in heart rate from one month of reserpine therapyOne month

Heart rate, baseline versus one month

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Mayo Clinic Florida

🇺🇸

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

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