Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Tetralogy of Fallot: Inhibition of the Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone System

Rationale: The prevalence of adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) has steadily increased over the last decades, due to the advances in cardiac surgery. A large number of these patients cope with right ventricular (RV) volume or pressure overload, largely caused by residual lesions after cardiac surgery in childhood. Previous RV overload due to pulmonary regurgitation in Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) can lead to RV dysfunction. These findings warrant close surveillance of RV function, and adequate and evidence-based pharmacological therapy to reduce both morbidity and mortality in this young patient group. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is activated in patients with ventricular failure, irrespective of the effected (left or right) ventricle. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB's) are drugs which act as inhibitors of RAAS. Previously, large trials have demonstrated the beneficial effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on morbidity and mortality in patients with acquired left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. ARB's have a similar effect as ACE inhibitors in patients with acquired LV dysfunction but discontinuation because of side effects such as cough is less frequent. In TOF patients with RV overload due to pulmonary regurgitation, pulmonary valve replacement leads to a decrease in RV size and pulmonary regurgitation. Current guidelines advise empiric use of RAAS inhibitors for right ventricular dysfunction in adult patients with congenital heart disease. However, the actual effect of RAAS inhibition on right ventricular dysfunction in adult TOF patients without severe valvular lesions has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, we set-up the proposed study, and hypothesize that ARB's have a beneficial effect on RV ejection fraction in adult TOF patients with RV dysfunction without severe valvular lesions.

Objective: to improve RV ejection fraction in adult TOF patients with RV dysfunction without severe valvular lesions.

Study design: a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Follow up two years Study population: adult patients with Tetralogy of Fallot with right ventricular dysfunction, defined as right ventricular ejection fraction < 50% and without severe valvular lesions Intervention: patients are randomized to receive either losartan 150 mg once daily, or placebo in the same regimen. Main study parameters/endpoints: the primary endpoint is difference in change in RV ejection fraction, determined by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), between the treatment and the control group at two years follow-up.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: All investigations, except blood analysis, are non-invasive and free of risk. The burden for the patients mainly consists of the time that is consumed by the visits to the clinic. At these visits time will be consumed by: history taking and physical investigation (15 minutes); quality of life score (15 minutes); laboratory tests (6 times venopuncture, total amount of blood withdrawn approximately 90ml). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (1hour), echocardiography (15 minutes) and CMR (45 minutes) are part of regular medical care. Adverse effects from losartan are usually limited and consist of dizziness due to hypotension, renal impairment, hyperkalemia and liver impairment. We expect no change or an increase in RV function in the intervention group compared to the control group over the two-year follow up period, which would be a great benefit for this young study population.