The primary objective of the current study is to determine whether Ataciguat (HMR1766) slows progression of valve calcification in patients with moderate calcific aortic valve stenosis. Secondary and tertiary objectives are to determine whether Ataciguat slows progression of aortic valve function, reduces systemic inflammation, and prevents left ventricular dysfunction in patients with moderate calcific aortic valve stenosis.
Patients with Moderate Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis may be eligible for enrollment in this study. Participation lasts 12 months, which includes a total of 3 study visits (baseline/screening visit, 6 month follow up visit and 12 month follow up visit). During each visit, a blood sample will be taken along with other research related tests (Orthostatic Tolerance Standing Test, CT Scan, Echocardiogram, DEXA Scan). Qualifying Participants will be supplied with 6 months worth of study medication or placebo during visits 1 (baseline/screening visit) and 2 (6 month follow up visit) in which they will take at home daily with food. On visit 3 (12 month follow up visit), any remaining study medication or placebo will be returned to study staff.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
35
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Changes in Aortic Valve Calcium Levels
This will be done using computed tomography (CT) scanning to evaluate aortic valve calcium levels, which is considered to be a "gold standard" for evaluating valvular calcium burden. As measured in Arbitrary Units (AU).
Time frame: baseline, 6 mos
Change in Levels of Plasma Interleukin-6
Determine whether long-term treatment with HMR1766 will result in sustained increases in systemic sGC signaling and reduce levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines in patients with mild to moderate CAVS. This will be done using ELISA-based measurements of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in venous blood samples. Key comparisons will be between HMR1766-treated and placebo-treated groups, where we will examine the change in inflammatory cytokine levels from baseline in subjects receiving HMR1766 or placebo capsules.
Time frame: baseline, 6 mos
Change in Aortic Valve Function: Aortic Valve Area
Determine whether long-term treatment with HMR1766 will result in sustained increases in systemic sGC signaling slow progression of aortic valve dysfunction in patients with mild to moderate CAVS. This will be done using echocardiography-based measurements of aortic valve function. Key comparisons will be between HMR1766-treated and placebo-treated groups, where we will examine the change in: 1. aortic valve area over time (calculated from the continuity equation) in subjects receiving HMR1766 or placebo capsules, AVA will be evaluated by both the absolute value and following normalization for body surface area, and 2. mean transvalvular pressure gradient over time (calculated from the blood velocity trace using the Bernoulli equation) in subjects receiving HMR1766 or placebo capsules.
Time frame: baseline, 6 mos
Change in Left Ventricular Function
Determine whether long-term treatment with HMR1766 will result in sustained increases in systemic sGC signaling slow progression of aortic valve dysfunction in patients with mild to moderate CAVS. This will be done using echocardiography-based measurements of aortic valve function. Key comparisons will be between HMR1766-treated and placebo-treated groups, where we will examine the change in: 1. Left ventricular systolic function (measured by echocardiographic measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction) and 2. Left ventricular diastolic function (measured using the E/A ratio derived from Doppler measurements).
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Time frame: baseline, 6 mos
Change in Plasma Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha
Determine whether long-term treatment with ataciguat reduces levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months
Change in Aortic Valve Function: Transvalvular Pressure Gradient
Determine whether long-term treatment with HMR1766 will result in sustained increases in systemic sGC signaling slow progression of aortic valve dysfunction in patients with mild to moderate CAVS. This will be done using echocardiography-based measurements of aortic valve function. Key comparisons will be between HMR1766-treated and placebo-treated groups, where we will examine the change in: 1. aortic valve area over time (calculated from the continuity equation) in subjects receiving HMR1766 or placebo capsules, AVA will be evaluated by both the absolute value and following normalization for body surface area, and 2. mean transvalvular pressure gradient over time (calculated from the blood velocity trace using the Bernoulli equation) in subjects receiving HMR1766 or placebo capsules.
Time frame: baseline, 6 mos