MedPath

Resistant Hypertension Optimal Treatment

Phase 4
Conditions
Hypertension
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT01643434
Lead Sponsor
Instituto do Coracao
Brief Summary

Resistant hypertension (ReHy) is an emerging clinical and public health problem which tends to increase because populations are living longer and there is a growing global epidemic of obesity, diabetes and sleep apnea. It is also tempting to speculate that the excessive dietary salt ingestion reported in many countries can contribute substantially to the risk of ReHy development. ReHy is defined as persistent high blood pressure (above the target goal) in spite of the use of at least 3 antihypertensive agents of different classes, one of them must being diuretics.

Data regarding the exact prevalence of ReHy are very limited. In addition, little data is available about 3-drug combinations but a simplified treatment algorithm has demonstrated that a combination of a diuretic plus an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or an angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) plus diuretic, adding a calcium channel blocker when necessary, controlled 64% of hypertensive patients and, in addition, was even more efficient than the current guideline-based management. By contrast, the fourth drug to be added-on the triple regimen is still controversial and guided by empirical choices or personal preferences. Recent studies suggest the emerging role of spironolactone as the "first-line" fourth drug for treating resistant hypertension. Conversely, because of the pathophysiological rationale, others have proposed the use of β-blockers or even centrally acting agents for managing the sympathetic hyperactivity. The present concerns about the limited blood pressure reducing effect of β-blockers, especially in elderly people, the potent effect of centrally acting agents and our personal experience are pointing to clonidine as the fourth drug to be added-on to a multidrug combination for reaching optimal blood pressure in patients with ReHy. Nevertheless, no studies have been performed comparing, head-to-head, which one is the best fourth drug (spironolactone or clonidine) to be added-on to a common used multidrug combination in order to treat this condition.

Therefore, the principal objectives of the ReHOT Trial are to assess prospectively: (1) the prevalence of ReHy in a cohort of outpatients with stage II hypertension; (2) the effect of spironolactone on blood pressure, in comparison to clonidine, when added to a multidrug combination consisting of chlorthalidone plus ACEi (or ARB) plus amlodipine, all of 3 up-titrated to the highest dose; (3) the role of measuring sympathetic nervous system activity and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone activity on predicting the response of blood pressure to spironolactone and clonidine.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
2000
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
SpironolactoneSpironolactone-
ClonidineClonidine-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Blood pressure (mmHg)Patients willl be followed for an expected average of 3 months

Compare the effect of spironolactone on blood pressure vs. clonidine, when added to a multidrug combination consisting of chlorthalidone plus ACEi (or ARB) plus amlodipine, all of 3 up-titrated to the highest dose;

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone activityAt baseline and at the end of the randomization (3 months)

Compare the role of measuring sympathetic nervous system activity and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone activity on predicting the response of blood pressure to spironolactone and clonidine.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of São Paulo General Hospital

🇧🇷

São Paulo, Brazil

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