Anticoagulation For Pulmonary Hypertension in Sickle Cell Disease

University of North Carolina (UNC)

Status and phase

Terminated

Phase 2

Conditions

Pulmonary Hypertension

Treatments

Drug: Warfarin

Drug: Placebo

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

NIH

Identifiers

NCT01036802

R01HL094592-01A1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

09-1596

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment

3 patients

Sex

All

Ages

16 to 65 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

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 pulmonary artery systolic pressure on Doppler echocardiography (TR jet velocity of 2.5 to 2.9 m/s [or estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure 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/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 pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, 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 magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography 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.