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Effects of Spironolactone on Collagen Metabolism in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Phase 4
Conditions
Pulmonary Hypertension
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT01468571
Lead Sponsor
Baylor College of Medicine
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of spironolactone on collagen markers in a large number of patients with pulmonary hypertension. In addition, safety and tolerability of spironolactone, an aldosterone receptor antagonist, in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, will be determined.

Detailed Description

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an orphan disease characterized by pulmonary artery hypertrophy, and resulting vascular remodeling of involved vessels, often leading to right heart failure. Accumulating evidence from vascular biology, animal models, and therapeutic drug trials suggests significant contributions of the neurohormonal milieu to the disease process, morbidity, and mortality. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an important neurohormonal pathway that induces collagen synthesis in the myocardium and systemic vasculature. There is paucity of data regarding the contribution of RAAS in the pathogenesis of PAH and the effects of aldosterone blockade in the amelioration of PAH. Thus, the overall goal of this proposal is to investigate the contribution of RAAS to the pathogenesis of PAH, and to explore the effects of an aldosterone blocker, spironolactone, in PAH.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age 18 years or older
  • Body weight > 40 kg
  • PAH Diagnostic Group I
  • Stable subjects with no change in PAH specific therapy within the last 4 weeks
  • No change in dose of background therapy (digoxin, diuretic) within the last 2 weeks excluding anticoagulation
Exclusion Criteria
  • Unable to give informed consent
  • Hemodynamically unstable subjects
  • Pregnant or breast feeding
  • Have significant renal insufficiency (serum creatinine >2.5 mg per deciliter or required hemodialysis)
  • Have significant liver dysfunction (AST or ALT more than three times upper limit of normal)
  • Currently on aldosterone receptor blocker (spironolactone or eplerenone) or ACE inhibitor
  • PH due to left heart disease
  • Unable or unwilling to comply with study procedures

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlaceboDrug: Placebo Drug: Spironolactone
SpironolactoneSpironolactoneDrug: Spironolactone Drug: Placebo
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in biomarker levels in the spironolactone treated as compared to placebo treated group.16 week

50 participants will be enrolled in a 16-week study, and each subject will receive placebo or active drug in a random order. At the end of week 8, treatment arm for each subject will be blindly switched. Biomarker levels will be drawn 3 times (baseline, week 8, and week 16) during the study period for each subject.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of adverse events in patients treated with spironolactone as compared to placebo.16 week

Safety and tolerability of spironolactone as compared to placebo in PAH.

Composite end-point16 week

Composite end-point predefined as greater than 10% increase in walk distance, improvement by at least one functional class and absence of clinical worsening. Clinical worsening will be defined as hospitalization for worsening PAH, all-cause death, addition of prostacyclin therapy, lung transplantation, or atrial septostomy.

Change in six-minute walk distance from baseline to week 8 and week 16.16 week

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Baylor College of Medicine

🇺🇸

Houston, Texas, United States

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