Anticoagulation For Pulmonary Hypertension in Sickle Cell Disease

This study is currently recruiting participants.
Verified July 2012 by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Sponsor:
Collaborator:
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT01036802
First received: December 18, 2009
Last updated: July 3, 2012
Last verified: July 2012
  Purpose

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is often referred to as a hypercoagulable state. However, the contribution of coagulation activation to the pathogenesis of SCD remains uncertain. Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is a common complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Autopsy studies of SCD patients with PHT show evidence of in situ thrombosis involving pulmonary vessels, similar to findings in non-sickle cell patients with PHT. Anticoagulation has been reported to be of benefit in non-sickle cell patients with PHT. With the evidence of increased coagulation activation in SCD, PHT represents a clinical endpoint that may be used to evaluate the contribution of coagulation activation to the pathophysiology of SCD. The investigators hypothesize that increased thrombin generation, as well as platelet activation are central to the pathophysiology of SCD and contribute to the occurrence of several SCD-related complications, including PHT. As a consequence, treatment modalities that down-regulate thrombin generation would be expected to delay the progression of PHT and result in improved survival in patients with SCD.


Condition Intervention Phase
Pulmonary Hypertension
Drug: Warfarin
Phase 2

Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Allocation: Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: An Exploratory Study of Anticoagulation For Pulmonary Hypertension in Sickle Cell Disease

Resource links provided by NLM:


Further study details as provided by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill:

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • The effect of anticoagulation on pulmonary artery systolic pressure obtained by Doppler echocardiography [ Time Frame: Measurements will be obtained at Screening, Prior to Run-in, and at Months 3, 6, 9, and 12 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Secondary Outcome Measures:
  • 6-minute walk test [ Time Frame: Measurements will be obtained at Screening, Prior to Run-in, and at Months 3, 6, 9, and 12 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  • Thrombin generation [ Time Frame: Measurements will be obtained at Screening, Prior to Run-in, and at Months 3, 6, 9, and 1 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  • Platelet activation [ Time Frame: Measurements will be obtained at Screening, Prior to Run-in, and at Months 3, 6, 9, and 1 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  • Endothelial Activation [ Time Frame: Measurements will be obtained at Screening, Prior to Run-in, and at Months 3, 6, 9, and 1 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  • All-cause mortality [ Time Frame: Measurements will be obtained at Screening, Prior to Run-in, and at Months 3, 6, 9, and 1 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  • Safety [ Time Frame: Measurements will be obtained at Screening, Prior to Run-in, and at Months 3, 6, 9, and 1 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Estimated Enrollment: 20
Study Start Date: December 2009
Estimated Study Completion Date: December 2013
Estimated Primary Completion Date: December 2013 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Arms Assigned Interventions
Active Comparator: Warfarin
Patients on the active treatment arm will be anticoagulated using the vitamin K antagonist, warfarin
Drug: Warfarin
Patients on the active treatment arm will receive warfarin to achieve a target INR of between 2 and 3
Other Name: Coumadin
Placebo Comparator: Placebo Drug: Warfarin
Patients on the active treatment arm will receive warfarin to achieve a target INR of between 2 and 3
Other Name: Coumadin

Detailed Description:

As a result of the presence of large vessel thrombotic complications, as well as the biochemical evidence of ongoing coagulation activation, sickle cell disease (SCD) is often referred to as a hypercoagulable state. However, the contribution of coagulation activation to the pathogenesis of SCD remains uncertain. While the majority of clinical studies using anticoagulants have shown no convincing benefit in the prevention or treatment of acute pain episodes, most of these studies were small and poorly controlled. Furthermore, because the acute pain episode appears to result from the occlusion of postcapillary venules by the interaction of red blood cells and other cellular elements with the vascular endothelium and subendothelial matrix proteins, it may not be the ideal clinical endpoint for assessing the effect of anticoagulation in SCD patients. Pulmonary hypertension (PHT), a common complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and with histopathologic findings of in situ thrombosis involving pulmonary vessels, represents a clinical endpoint that is likely due, at least in part, to increased thrombin generation, and may therefore be used to evaluate the contribution of coagulation activation to the pathophysiology of SCD. Twenty patients with sickle cell anemia (HbSS) or sickle beta zero thalassemia (Sickle beta zero thalassemia) and mild PHT who meet the eligibility requirements will be enrolled, 10 patients to receive anticoagulation with warfarin and 10 to receive placebo rfor 12 months of treatment.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   16 Years to 65 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • At least 16 years of age
  • Have a confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell anemia (HbSS) or sickle cell beta zero thalassemia
  • Have evidence of persistent elevation of PASP on Doppler echocardiography (TR jet velocity of 2.5 to 2.9 m/s [or estimated PASP above the upper limit of reference adjusted ranges and up to 45 mm Hg]), but no evidence of moderate or severe diastolic dysfunction on tissue Doppler echocardiography. Mild PHT must be confirmed on repeat evaluation, at least 3 months later
  • Have a serum creatinine =/< 1.5 mg/dl
  • Have serum transaminase values (ALT) < 2 times upper limits of normal
  • Have serum albumin =/> 3.2 g/dl
  • Have a platelet count =/< 150,000 cu/mm
  • Have normal baseline coagulation profile (PT/INR, PTT)
  • Patients on treatment with hydroxyurea should be on a stable dose for at least 6 months. Doses of hydroxyurea may only be adjusted during the course of the study for safety reasons.
  • Be able to understand the requirements of the study and be willing to give informed consent.
  • Women of childbearing age must be practicing (and will continue to practice for the course of the study) an adequate method of contraception.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Have a baseline hemoglobin < 6.0 gm/dl
  • Have congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, and other identified cause of pulmonary hypertension (including pulmonary fibrosis) unrelated to SCD
  • Have an elevated PCWP, as evidenced by E/Em > 15 by pulsed wave and tissue Doppler imaging
  • Have no measurable tricuspid regurgitant velocity on echocardiography
  • Have a history of major gastrointestinal bleeding or a bleeding diathesis
  • Have sickle cell complications such as recent vaso-occlusive crisis or acute chest syndrome, 4-weeks prior to commencing the study
  • Have a history of clinically overt stroke(s) or seizures
  • Have a brain MRI/MRA scan with evidence of Moya Moya within the preceding year
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Are on chronic anticoagulant therapy
  • Have a history of metastatic cancer
  • Are chronically on therapy with aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents
  • Are on a chronic transfusion program or have received a blood transfusion in the prior 8 weeks
  • Have a positive urine toxicology screen for cocaine and amphetamines
  • Have a history of alcohol abuse
  • Are currently receiving treatment with epoprostenol (or similar prostacyclin analog), sildenafil (or similar phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor), bosentan or arginine
  • Have ingested any investigational drugs within the past 4 weeks.
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01036802

Contacts
Contact: Kenneth I Ataga, MD 919-966-0178 kataga@med.unc.edu
Contact: Susan Jones, RN 919-966-6876 skjones@med.unc.edu

Locations
United States, North Carolina
University of North Carolina Recruiting
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, 27599
Contact: Kenneth I Ataga, MD     919-966-0178     kataga@med.unc.edu    
Contact: Susan Jones, RN     919-966-6876     skjones@med.unc.edu    
Sub-Investigator: Nigel S Key, MD            
Sub-Investigator: Alan Hinderliter, MD            
Sub-Investigator: Mary B Shilliday, PharmD            
Sponsors and Collaborators
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Investigators
Principal Investigator: Kenneth I Ataga, MD University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  More Information

No publications provided

Responsible Party: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01036802     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: 09-1596, R01HL094592-01A1
Study First Received: December 18, 2009
Last Updated: July 3, 2012
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
United States: Food and Drug Administration
United States: Institutional Review Board

Keywords provided by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill:
sickle cell disease
pulmonary hypertension
coagulation activation
platelet activation
endothelial activation

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Anemia, Sickle Cell
Hypertension
Hypertension, Pulmonary
Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital
Anemia, Hemolytic
Anemia
Hematologic Diseases
Hemoglobinopathies
Genetic Diseases, Inborn
Vascular Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Lung Diseases
Respiratory Tract Diseases
Warfarin
Anticoagulants
Hematologic Agents
Therapeutic Uses
Pharmacologic Actions

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 21, 2013