More than 78 million adults in the U.S. are obese. Bariatric surgery is the only modality that results in sustained weight loss along with reversal of diabetes mellitus, and a decrease in cardiovascular events. Obesity is associated with increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity that contributes to blood pressure regulation; sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity is maximally activated upon standing and is fundamental for the maintenance of orthostatic tolerance. After bariatric surgery, there is a significant and sustained reduction in SNS activity at three and six months after the procedure, which is related to weight loss. Recently, multiple retrospective studies have reported an orthostatic intolerance (OI) syndrome after bariatric surgery characterized by chronic pre-syncopal symptoms, syncope and orthostatic hypotension. In the Vanderbilt University Medical Center bariatric surgical center, 741 post-bariatric surgery patients reported OI symptoms, 98 (13.2%) of these patients, progressed to chronic OI and in17 cases, the OI was so disabling that patients initiated treatment with pressor agents. More than 50% of OI cases in the cohort developed the condition during a weight-stable period. Hence, investigators propose the novel hypothesis that after bariatric surgery, the persistent reduction in SNS activity contributes to impaired orthostatic tolerance, which is independent of weight loss.
Considering that SNS vasoconstrictor activity depends on synaptic norepinephrine concentrations, investigators propose a proof-of-concept study to test the hypothesis that the norepinephrine transporter (NET) inhibitor, atomoxetine, which increases synaptic norepinephrine concentrations, will improve post-bariatric OI. Understanding the changes in SNS activity and its contribution to orthostatic tolerance after bariatric surgery is of utmost importance to unravel the mechanisms of a novel and unrecognized syndrome, post-bariatric OI. In 2014, nearly 200,000 individuals in the US underwent bariatric surgery, and the number of bariatric surgery procedures is expected to increase by 22% each year. It is projected, therefore, an increase in the incidence of post-bariatric OI. Participants with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) will be studied. OI is a chronic and disabling condition; treatment is challenging because current therapies have debatable efficacy. The proposed application will not only provide central knowledge on the pathophysiology of this new syndrome but also will fill an unmet therapeutic need by repurposing NET inhibitors for the treatment of OI.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
10
atomoxetine 0.5 mg/kg/day.
sugar pill
Cyndya Shibao
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Blood Pressure Measurements During Orthostatic Challenge With a Head up Tilt (HUT at 60 Degrees) Before and After Bariatric Surgery: at 2 Timepoints: After 10% Weight Loss and After 3 Months
To assess the hemodynamic (Blood Pressure) changes during an orthostatic challenge with a head up tilt (HUT at 60 degrees) before and after bariatric surgery, at two time-points: after 10% weight loss (10% WL) and after 3 months, in morbidly obese patients. Our primary endpoint (orthostatic tolerance, OT) is defined as the time between the start of the 60 degree HUT until pre-syncope Orthostatic hemodynamics were analyzed as the area under the curve (AUC) after baseline-correction during HUT.
Time frame: 0- 3 months
Cardiac Output During Orthostatic Challenge With a Head up Tilt (HUT at 60 Degrees) Before and After Bariatric Surgery: at 2 Timepoints: After 10% Weight Loss and After 3 Months
To assess the hemodynamic (cardiac output \[CO\]) and cardiovascular autonomic changes during an orthostatic challenge with a head up tilt (HUT at 60 degrees) before and after bariatric surgery, at two time-points: after 10% weight loss (10% WL) and after 3 months, in morbidly obese patients. Our primary endpoint (orthostatic tolerance, OT) is defined as the time between the start of the 60 degree HUT until pre-syncope Orthostatic hemodynamics were analyzed as the area under the curve (AUC) after baseline-correction during HUT.
Time frame: 0- 3 months
Stroke Volume Measurements During Orthostatic Challenge With a Head up Tilt (HUT at 60 Degrees) Before and After Bariatric Surgery: at 2 Timepoints: After 10% Weight Loss and After 3 Months
To assess the hemodynamic (stroke volume \[SV\]) and cardiovascular autonomic changes during an orthostatic challenge with a head up tilt (HUT at 60 degrees) before and after bariatric surgery, at two time-points: after 10% weight loss (10% WL) and after 3 months, in morbidly obese patients. Our primary endpoint (orthostatic tolerance, OT) is defined as the time between the start of the 60 degree HUT until pre-syncope Orthostatic hemodynamics were analyzed as the area under the curve (AUC) after baseline-correction during HUT.
Time frame: 0- 3 months
Calculated Total Peripheral Resistance During Orthostatic Challenge With a Head up Tilt (HUT at 60 Degrees) Before and After Bariatric Surgery: at 2 Timepoints: After 10% Weight Loss and After 3 Months
To assess the hemodynamic ( total peripheral resistance \[TPR\]) and cardiovascular autonomic changes during an orthostatic challenge with a head up tilt (HUT at 60 degrees) before and after bariatric surgery, at two time-points: after 10% weight loss (10% WL) and after 3 months, in morbidly obese patients. Our primary endpoint (orthostatic tolerance, OT) is defined as the time between the start of the 60 degree HUT until pre-syncope
Time frame: 0- 3 months
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