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| Sponsored by: |
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) |
|---|---|
| Information provided by: | National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) |
| ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00074880 |
Purpose
This study will examine how heart stiffness and a weak atrium affect exercise capacity and symptoms in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
The atrium is the booster pumping chamber of the heart that helps the ventricle (main pumping chamber), to fill properly. HCM is an inherited disease in which the ventricle becomes thickened and, in some patients, stiff. The stiffness makes it difficult for the ventricle to fill and empty, causing breathing difficulty, fatigue, and reduced exercise capacity. Scar formation and a weakened atrium can cause the heart to stiffen. Information gained from this study may guide doctors in prescribing medicines to reduce scarring or improve atrial function.
Patients 21 years of age and older with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and physical examination, electrocardiogram (EKG), blood tests, Holter monitor, and echocardiogram. A Holter monitor is a device about the size of a Walkman that is connected to three wires that are attached to the chest. It is worn for 24 hours to provide continuous monitoring of heart rhythm.
An echocardiogram uses a small probe that emits sound waves to produce images of the heart. The probe is moved across the chest and the reflection of the sound waves from the chambers of the heart produce images showing the heart's thickness and function.
Participants will undergo the following tests and procedures over 3 days:
Echocardiographic measurements and blood samples are taken at intervals during the test.
| Condition |
|---|
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Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic |
| Study Type: | Observational |
| Official Title: | The Role of Atrio-Ventricular Coupling in Exercise Tolerance in Non-Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy |
| Estimated Enrollment: | 50 |
| Study Start Date: | December 2003 |
| Estimated Study Completion Date: | March 2005 |
Primary hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic cardiac disease characterized by thickening (hypertrophy) of the left ventricular (LV) wall, dyspnea and/or fatigue in the setting of a normal or supra-normal LV ejection fraction. The specific mechanisms underlying heart failure-related symptomatology in non-obstructive HCM are poorly defined, but as the vast majority of HCM patients with heart failure have apparently preserved LV contractile function, their symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue are presumed due to perturbations of the relaxation/filling phase (diastole) of the cardiac cycle, which has been termed "diastolic dysfunction". In fact, diastole is mechanistically complex and involves LV pressure decay (relaxation), chamber compliance and atrial contractile function. LV end-diastolic volume, which represents fiber stretch, governs LV contractile function and stroke volume via the Frank-Starling mechanism. End-diastolic fiber stretch is, in turn, dependent on late diastolic filling due to atrial ejection. This atrial "booster pump" is load-dependent and also responsive to inotropic effect. The interaction of atrial inotropic reserve, LV end-diastolic pressure (atrial afterload) and LV compliance (which mediates LV end-diastolic pressure and volume) may be generically considered as "atrio-ventricular coupling" which, in theory, should be at least partially responsible for modulations in exercise-induced augmentation of cardiac output related to enhancement of LV end-diastolic volume or "preload reserve". Previous studies have suggested that limitations of preload reserve may explain exercise-associated symptoms of congestive heart failure. The potential ability of new technologies to accurately assess atrio-ventricular coupling as it relates to preload reserve present opportunities for investigation into mechanisms of heart failure operative in patients with stiff left ventricles with intact systolic function. Elucidation of these previously unapproachable mechanisms may be important in targeting therapy and the design and analysis of future interventional trials.
In this pilot study, we hypothesize that exercise intolerance in HCM patients is due to limited LV preload-reserve which, in turn, is mediated by disequilibrium of atrio-ventricular coupling and, possibly, limitations in atrial inotropic reserve. We will test novel analytic tools, including measures of LV compliance and load-independent atrial systolic fuction (atrial systolic elastance), in attempts to dissect out the components of atrio-ventricular coupling which underly HCM-associated symptoms and reduced preload reserve. Further, we will assess serum and cardiac MRI markers of myocardial fibrosis to determine the effect of collagen remodeling on LV relaxation, compliance and atrial afterload. Finally, we will examine the effects of short-term cardiac glycoside (inotropic) therapy on atrial systolic elastance, preload reserve and exercise tolerance. The results of this investigation will be implemented in the design of subsequent interventional protocols targeted towards mechanisms of the stiff heart syndrome.
Eligibility| Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
| Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
INCLUSION CRITERIA - HCM Patients:
HCM defined as maximal LV wall thickness by echocardiography greater than 13mm in the absence of other causes of LVH or greater than 15mm asymmetrical LV wall thickness if there is a history of mild hypertension (defined as systolic less than 160mmHg and diastolic less than 100mHg) controlled for greater than 6 months
Non-obstructive HCM
Age greater than or equal to 21 years.
Patients with LV obstruction treated by LV myotomy and myectomy or percutaneous septal alcohol ablation that meet inclusion criteria are eligible for this study.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA - HCM Patients:
LV outflow obstruction noted during Doppler echocardiography at rest or with Valsalva maneuver defined as instantaneous peak gradient greater than 30 mmHg
Hemodynamically significant valvular disorders, history of significant coronary obstruction (greater than 50% in any single artery), angina symptoms, myocardial ischemia on an imaging stress test or evidence of prior myocardial infarction. Patients older than 40 years of age with effort induced anginal symptoms typical of coronary insufficiency and a coronary distribution of myocardial ischemia on an imaging stress test will be considered for the study if coronary angiography rules out significant obstructive coronary disease.
Chronic atrial fibrillation
Cardiac pacemaker or other metallic implant unsafe for MRI
Uncontrolled hypertension
Dependence on a beta blocker that cannot be withdrawn
Dependence on a calcium blocker that cannot be withdrawn
Current use of digoxin
History of digitalis intolerance
Renal failure
Diabetes mellitus
Pregnancy or lactation
Failure to indicate effective method of birth control measures if female patient is of childbearing age.
Inability to exercise or disease states likely to result in impaired exercise capacity (such as pulmonary, hematological and musculoskeletal disorders)
Echocardiographic images of insufficient quality, even after administration of contrast agent, for volumetric analysis.
Inability to provide informed consent
Contacts and Locations More Information
| Study ID Numbers: | 040062, 04-H-0062 |
| Study First Received: | December 22, 2003 |
| Last Updated: | March 3, 2008 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00074880 History of Changes |
| Health Authority: | United States: Federal Government |
|
Cardiac Hypertrophy Diastolic Dysfunction Cardiac Glycosides Cardiac Fibrosis Atrial Systole |
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Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Cardiac Glycosides Hypertrophy Heart Diseases Asthenia Fibrosis |
Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic Constriction, Pathologic Aortic Valve Stenosis Cardiomyopathies Heart Valve Diseases |
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Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Hypertrophy Aortic Stenosis, Subvalvular Heart Diseases Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic |
Cardiovascular Diseases Aortic Valve Stenosis Cardiomyopathies Heart Valve Diseases |
