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Role of Midodrine and Tolvaptan in Patients With Cirrhosis With Refractory or Recurrent Ascites

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Refractory/Recurrent Ascites
Cirrhosis
Interventions
Drug: Standard medical therapy
Registration Number
NCT02173288
Lead Sponsor
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
Brief Summary

The development of ascites in the natural history of cirrhosis heralds a worsening of the prognosis to 50% survival at 2 years, and this deteriorates to 30-50% at 1 year when the ascites becomes refractory to medical therapy. Hemodynamic alterations and their relation to neurohumoral systems are essential in pathophysiology of ascites formation. The theory that best explain the ascites formation and sodium retention in cirrhotics is portal hypertension leading to splanchnic arterial vasodilatation leading to underfilling of arterial circulation which is sensed by the arterial and the cardiopulmonary receptors leading to sympathetic nervous system activation and activation of the anti-natriuretic factors (RAAS and arginine vasopressin), resulting in sodium and water retention. The therapeutic options available for patients with refractory ascites are serial therapeutic paracentesis, liver transplantation and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts.Vasopressin V2 receptor antagonists antagonize the antidiuretic effects of vasopressin at the V2 receptor located in the renal collecting duct, they increase free water clearance, and thus may be helpful in mobilizing excess water in conditions associated with water retention including cirrhosis. The use of V2 receptor antagonists in cirrhosis with ascites has been shown to be safe and efficacious. Midodrine, an alpha adreno receptor agonist by causing splanchnic vasoconstriction has been used in hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) and for control of ascites in patients with refractory or recurrent ascites. It is possible that vasoconstrictors and aquaretics (V2 receptor antagonists) by acting at different sites in combination may reverse some of the pathogenic events that results in refractory or recurrent ascites.There are no reports on the use of combination of midodrine and tolvaptan in the patients with cirrhosis with ascites. Therefore, we plan to study the role of midodrine, tolvaptan and their combination on systemic hemodynamics, renal functions and control of ascites in patients with cirrhosis and refractory or recurrent ascites.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria

60 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and refractory or recurrent ascites with stable renal function ( creatinine level <1.5mg/dl for at least 7 days ).

Exclusion Criteria
  • Presence of gastrointestinal bleeding, HRS, hepatic encephalopathy of grade 2 or higher or infection within 1 month preceding the study or during the study, presence of diabetes, intrinsic renal or cardiovascular disease or arterial hypertension on history and physical examination, abnormal urine analysis, chest radiograph or electrocardiogram, presence of hepatocellular carcinoma or portal vein thrombosis or treatment with drugs with known effects on systemic and renal hemodynamics within 7 days of inclusion .

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Tolvaptan groupStandard medical therapyStandard medical therapy (n-15) with Tolvaptan 15 mg twice a day
Tolvaptan plus midodrine armStandard medical therapyStandard medical therapy (n-15) with Tolvaptan 15 mg twice a day and Midodrine 7.5 mg thrice a day
Standard medical therapyStandard medical therapyStandard Medical therapy (n-15) with100 to 400mg spironolactone and/or 40 to 160mg furosemide.
Midodrine groupStandard medical therapyStandard medical therapy (n-15) with Midodrine 7.5 mg thrice a day
Midodrine groupMidodrineStandard medical therapy (n-15) with Midodrine 7.5 mg thrice a day
Tolvaptan groupTolvaptanStandard medical therapy (n-15) with Tolvaptan 15 mg twice a day
Tolvaptan plus midodrine armTolvaptanStandard medical therapy (n-15) with Tolvaptan 15 mg twice a day and Midodrine 7.5 mg thrice a day
Tolvaptan plus midodrine armMidodrineStandard medical therapy (n-15) with Tolvaptan 15 mg twice a day and Midodrine 7.5 mg thrice a day
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of patients with control of ascites3 months

Control of ascites will be defined as:

Complete: defined as the elimination of ascites Partial: presence of ascites not requiring paracentesis Failure: defined as persistence of ascites requiring paracentesis

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of patients with worsening of encephalopathy3 months
Number of patients with impairment of liver function3 months
Number of patients with variceal bleed3 months
Number of patients developing hepatorenal syndrome3 months
Number of patients with hypernatremia3 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Dept. of Hepatology, PGIMER, Chandigarh

🇮🇳

Chandigarh, India

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