The worldwide use of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), which is mechanical device to improve hemodynamic function, has improved the outcomes of severe heart failure (HF) patients leading to the continued annual increase in the number of LVAD implantations. However LVAD support still results in major complications such as renal failure or gastrointestinal bleeding. The investigators hypothesize that such major complications may be due to endothelial dysfunction induced by the lack of pulsatility, which may be improved by an innovative designer natriuretic peptide, CD-NP. They have demonstrated its favorable actions in animal models as well as humans, and tested its safety in LVAD patients. They hypothesize that CD-NP will have renal and endothelial protective actions through its receptor GC-A and GC-B. Thus, the investigators will test their hypothesis with a highly translational approach to examine CD-NP's role in endothelial and renal protection. The aim is to determine safety and tolerability together with cGMP activating, neurohumoral modulating and renovascular protective properties of chronic subcutaneous delivery of CD-NP compared to placebo in stable LVAD patients for 3 days.
Stable patients with LVAD implantation (3 months s/p implantation) will undergo 3-day testing in the Mayo Clinic's Clinical Research and Trials Unit. They will undergo daily subcutaneous injection of CD-NP, or placebo, for 3 days with hemodynamic monitoring, ECHO, endothelial function assessment, and renal blood flow monitoring. Blood and urine samples will also be collected and assayed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Hypotension
To assess safety and tolerability (without symptomatic hypotension or mean blood pressure \<70 mmHg) of chronic continuous subcutaneous infusion administration of CD-NP.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Pharmacokinetic Outcome Characterization
Area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) assessed by plasma CD-NP and cGMP
Time frame: 2 weeks
Renal Function
Estimated GFR from creatinine clearance and
Time frame: 2 weeks
Endothelial function
Measurement by Reactive Hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry (RHI)
Time frame: 2 weeks
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