Buspirone as a Potential Treatment for Recurrent Central Apnea
Information source: Department of Veterans Affairs
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 20, 2015 Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Central Apnea; Heart Failure
Intervention: Acetazolamide (Drug); Buspirone (Drug)
Phase: Phase 3
Status: Terminated
Sponsored by: Department of Veterans Affairs Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s): Kingman P. Strohl, MD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: VA Medical Center, Cleveland
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether buspirone compared to acetazolamide and to
placebo will reduce the number and/or severity of breathing pauses during sleep that occur
in some patients with Heart Failure.
Clinical Details
Official title: Buspirone as a Potential Treatment for Recurrent Central Apneas
Study design: Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Primary outcome: Apnea-hypopnea index (number of central and mixed apneas/hour of sleep)
Detailed description:
The hypothesis is that buspirone is a safe, effective drug to reduce the occurrence of
recurrent central apnea and irregular breathing found in the setting of heart failure. A
secondary hypothesis is that its effect will be similar to that or acetazolamide. Study
Design: A one-dose double-blind crossover study of buspirone vs. placebo vs. acetazolamide
will be performed to determine if active drug alters the number and/or severity of recurrent
central apneas and hypopneas (AHI) in patients with heart failure. AHI is the primary
outcome variable. In the initial phase of this study, we will recruit 18-20 patients to
obtain ~15 complete studies, using the assumption of a ~20% drop-out, to reach a pre-set
significance level of a 30% reduction in AHI in the drug groups with a power of 0. 90 and a
p=0. 05 by post-hoc testing. Power estimates were calculated using the means and SDs derived
from the population reported the study of acetazolamide by Javaheri et al (2006). A 30%
reduction in AHI would be meaningful. A 15% dropout rate was present in the study by
Javaheri et al (2006), but as our study is a three-way comparison, we chose a slightly
higher rate. The reasons stated in these articles for a drop out included: viral illness,
GI upset (on placebo or on theophyllin), tired of the sleep studies, and desire to terminate
without cause. Statistical Analyses. Analysis of variance for repeated measures using
Sidak's correction will be used to compare placebo, buspirone, and acetazolamide studies.
For variables that are not normally distributed, Dunn's nonparametric test for multiple
comparisons will be used. p > 0. 05 will be considered significant. Mean values and SDs will
be reported. This single dose, one night study is called Buspirone as a Potential Treatment
for Recurrent Sleep Apnea I.
A one-week trial (Buspirone as a Potential Treatment for Recurrent Central Apnea II) is now
(4/2010) in recruitment and will have similar end-points. Again the comparisons of
buspirone, acetazolamide, and placebo. There are however measures of ventilatory control
during the one week trial, to probe for potential mechanisms. The randomization will be in a
block design, and the analysis will take into account the blocked design. We will recruit 30
patients to obtain ~27 complete studies, using the assumption of a ~25% drop-out, to reach a
pre-set significance level of a 50% reduction in AHI in the drug groups with a power of 0. 90
and a p=0. 05 by post-hoc testing (see Table C below). Power estimates were calculated using
the means and SDs derived from the population reported the study of a one week trial of
acetazolamide by Javaheri, values similar to those in the drug trial for theophyllin. Our
reasoning is that a 50% reduction in AHI would be most meaningful. Our drop-out rate in the
one-night study is ~25%. Two were due to transportation related issues and one was dropped
from the study for hypoglycemia, non-study related, due to diabetic control. There were no
problems with GI distress, dizziness, or desire to terminate the study in the one-night
trial, but these are possible problems in a one week trial.
Eligibility
Minimum age: 40 Years.
Maximum age: 75 Years.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ability to provide informed consent,
- Ambulatory and in stable condition for the past 4 months,
- A diagnosis of heart failure with left ventricular systolic dysfunction as evidenced
by an ejection fraction <35%,
- NYHA class II or III clinical status, and
- Diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy or ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unstable angina, unstable heart failure, acute pulmonary edema, congenital heart
disease
- History of unstable and/or advanced hepatic disease
- History of renal failure, CrCL < 30
- Current use of an SSRI, or use within one month of testing
- Intrinsic pulmonary diseases: ILD and/or COPD (FEV1/FVC < 65%)
- Kyphoscoliosis or neuromuscular disease
- Suboptimally treated hypothyroidism
- Use of narcotics or benzodiazepines
- Use of theophylline or pseudoephedrine
- Use the following medications:
- MAO inhibitors
- diazepam
- haloperidol
- nefazodone
- trazodone
- erythromycin
- grapefruit juice
- itraconazole
- rifampin
- ketoconazole
- ritonavir,
- cimetidine
- Known allergy to buspirone or acetazolamide
Locations and Contacts
VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
Additional Information
Starting date: September 2008
Last updated: September 11, 2013
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