NCT01457170

Effects of Apelin on the Lung Circulation in Pulmonary Hypertension

Investigating the Acute Pulmonary Vascular Haemodynamic Effects of Apelin in Pulmonary Hypertension

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 63 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Golden Jubilee National Hospital · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of Apelin on the lung circulation. The investigators hypothesise that Apelin will relax the lung blood vessels and improve the pumping ability of the heart.

Detailed description

Apelin is an endogenous peptide with physiological actions in the cardiovascular system and is abundantly expressed in the pulmonary vasculature. Pre-clinical models and preliminary clinical data indicate that Apelin deficiency may mediate or contribute to the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. Apelin causes peripheral vasodilatation and increased cardiac contractility. The investigators will determine the effects of Apelin on the pulmonary circulation in 3 groups; healthy control, people with pulmonary arterial hypertension and people with pulmonary hypertension due to heart failure. Each subject will receive both Apelin infusion and saline placebo infusion in a crossover design. The infusions will be given in a random order which the subject and the investigator will be blinded to. The investigators hypothesise that Apelin will have more marked pulmonary haemodynamic effects than that observed in the systemic circulation. Moreover, the investigators propose that Apelin will have a marked vasodilatory effect on the human pulmonary vasculature and reduce pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension or pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease.

Conditions

• Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
• Heart Failure

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Apelin	During right heart catheterisation, Apelin will be infused at 30, 100 and 300 nanomol/min for 5 minutes. Apelin will then be infused at 300 nanomol/min for a further 15 minutes while the subject exercises using a supine ergometer.
DRUG	Saline (Placebo)	During right heart catheterisation, saline will be infused for 15 minutes while the subject rest and for a further 15 minutes while the subject exercises using a supine ergometer.
DRUG	Saline (Placebo)	During right heart catheterisation, saline will be infused for 15 minutes while the subject rest and for a further 15 minutes while the subject exercises using a supine ergometer.
DRUG	Apelin	During right heart catheterisation, Apelin will be infused at 30, 100 and 300 nanomol/min for 5 minutes. Apelin will then be infused at 300 nanomol/min for a further 15 minutes while the subject exercises using a supine ergometer.

Timeline

• Start date: 2012-01-01
• Primary completion: 2014-01-01
• Completion: 2014-01-01
• First posted: 2011-10-21
• Last updated: 2013-07-15

Locations

3 sites across 1 country: United Kingdom