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L-Arginine and Spironolactone Trial in Dialysis-Dependent ESRD

Phase 4
Withdrawn
Conditions
End Stage Renal Disease
Hemodialysis
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Dietary Supplement: L-arginine
Registration Number
NCT01855334
Lead Sponsor
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Brief Summary

Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). New research suggests that the high risk of death may be partly due to high levels of fibrosis and a loss of small blood vessels in the heart of patients with dialysis-dependent ESRD. This study is designed to compare the effects of two different drugs, spironolactone and L-arginine, with placebo on structure and function of the heart in individuals with dialysis-dependent ESRD.

Detailed Description

We hypothesize that that abnormalities in aldosterone and nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis contribute to the progression of microvascular disease and myocardial fibrosis in ESRD and that agents designed to restore normal aldosterone and NO homeostasis will improve microvascular and diastolic cardiac function in the heart of individuals with dialysis dependent ESRD. We will test 2 specific agents: The mineralocorticoid receptor blocker spironolactone; and L-arginine, an agent which improves NO bioavailability. Two specific aims will be addressed using a prospective, double-blinded, 2x2 factorial trial in dialysis dependent patients with ESRD. Subjects will be randomized to placebo, spironolactone plus placebo, L-arginine plus placebo, or combination spironolactone and L-arginine therapy. Diastolic cardiac function will be assessed using tissue Doppler index (TDI) determined mitral annular velocities (E') on LV echocardiography, and microvascular supply will be assessed using CFR-the ratio of hyperemic to resting myocardial blood flow-measured by positron emission tomography (PET) scans at baseline, 2 weeks and after 9 months of randomized therapy.

This randomized trial of spironolactone and L-arginine will provide important data about the contributions of aldosterone and NO to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in ESRD, will demonstrate the therapeutic potential of L-arginine and spironolactone as as targeted cardiovascular therapies for use in ESRD, and will provide important insights into the underlying pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease in ESRD. The results generated will provide the data needed to design large-scale trials testing whether spironolactone or L-arginine can improve mortality or cardiovascular outcomes in ESRD.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
WITHDRAWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
Not specified
Inclusion Criteria
  • Chronic dialysis therapy for End Stage Renal Disease
  • Age 21-85
Exclusion Criteria
  • Hyperkalemia requiring unscheduled dialysis within 3 months
  • Pre-dialysis potassium ≥6.5 meq/L within 3 months
  • Hypotension defined as SBP <100
  • Recurrent intra-dialytic hypotension defined as recurrent cramping, light-headedness, or hypotension requiring infusion of saline or other intervention or otherwise limiting ability to achieve dry weight. Or SBP <80
  • History of myocardial infarction
  • History of coronary artery bypass surgery
  • Non revascularized coronary disease >90%
  • Mitral valve repair or replacement
  • Severe mitral valve disease
  • Renal transplant expected within 9 months
  • Expected survival < 9 months
  • Pregnant
  • Prisoners
  • Unable to provide consent
  • Allergy to spironolactone or L-arginine
  • Digitalis use
  • 1st or 2nd degree heart block

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
FACTORIAL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Spironolactone + PlaceboSpironolactoneSpironolactone 25 mg by mouth daily + Placebo L-arginine-liquid formulation by mouth 3 times daily
Spironolactone + PlaceboPlaceboSpironolactone 25 mg by mouth daily + Placebo L-arginine-liquid formulation by mouth 3 times daily
Double PlaceboPlaceboPlacebo spironolactone-1 tablet by mouth daily + Placebo L-arginine liquid formulation by mouth 3 times daily
Spironolactone + L-arginineSpironolactoneSpironolactone 25 mg daily + L-arginine 3 grams orally 3 times daily
Spironolactone + L-arginineL-arginineSpironolactone 25 mg daily + L-arginine 3 grams orally 3 times daily
L-arginine + PlaceboL-arginineL-arginine 3 grams by mouth 3 times daily + Placebo spironolactone 1 tablet by mouth daily
L-arginine + PlaceboPlaceboL-arginine 3 grams by mouth 3 times daily + Placebo spironolactone 1 tablet by mouth daily
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in coronary Flow Reserve (PET)Between baseline and 9 months

Coronary flow reserve will be measured using rest and stress 13N ammonia myocardial positron emission tomography (PET) at baseline and 9 months

Change in left ventricular diastolic functionBetween baseline and 9 months

Left ventricular diastolic function will be measured using mitral annular E' on tissue doppler index echocardiography at baseline and 9 months

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
HyperkalemiaUp to 9 months

Hyperkalemia requiring extra dialysis, adjustment in dialysate potassium, or discontinuation of therapy

HypotensionUp to 9 months

Symptomatic or intradialytic hypotension up to 9 months

Change in hyperemic myocardial blood flowBetween baseline and 9 months
Combined cardiovascular safetyUp to 9 months

Combined rate of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or hospitalization

Change in left ventricular mass indexBetween baseline and 9 months
Association between change in coronary flow reserve (CFR) and change in diastolic function-tissue doppler index (E')Between baseline and 9 months
Change in early diastolic function (E')Between baseline and 2 weeks
Cardiovascular deathUp to 9 months
Association between coronary flow reserve (CFR) and tissue doppler index (E')Baseline
Change in resting myocardial blood flowBetween baseline and 9 months
Change in coronary vascular resistanceBetween 0 and 9 months
Change in early coronary flow reserveBetween baseline and 2 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

Brigham & Women's Hospital

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Massachusetts General Hospital

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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