Search

Background and Objectives: In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, treatment with spironolactone in early-stage CKD reduced left ventricular mass and arterial stiffness compared with placebo. It is not known if these effects were due to BP reduction or specific vascular and myocardial effects of spironolactone., Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: A prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point study conducted in four UK centers (Birmingham, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and London) comparing spironolactone 25 mg to chlorthalidone 25 mg once daily for 40 weeks in 154 participants with nondiabetic stage 2 and 3 CKD (eGFR 30-89 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 ). The primary end point was change in left ventricular mass on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Participants were on treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker and had controlled BP (target ≤130/80 mm Hg)., Results: There was no significant difference in left ventricular mass regression; at week 40, the adjusted mean difference for spironolactone compared with chlorthalidone was -3.8 g (95% confidence interval, -8.1 to 0.5 g, P =0.08). Office and 24-hour ambulatory BPs fell in response to both drugs with no significant differences between treatment. Pulse wave velocity was not significantly different between groups; at week 40, the adjusted mean difference for spironolactone compared with chlorthalidone was 0.04 m/s (-0.4 m/s, 0.5 m/s, P =0.90). Hyperkalemia (defined ≥5.4 mEq/L) occurred more frequently with spironolactone (12 versus two participants, adjusted relative risk was 5.5, 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 22.1, P =0.02), but there were no patients with severe hyperkalemia (defined ≥6.5 mEq/L). A decline in eGFR >30% occurred in eight participants treated with chlorthalidone compared with two participants with spironolactone (adjusted relative risk was 0.2, 95% confidence interval, 0.05 to 1.1, P =0.07)., Conclusions: Spironolactone was not superior to chlorthalidone in reducing left ventricular mass, BP, or arterial stiffness in nondiabetic CKD., (Copyright © 2021 by the American Society of Nephrology.)

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased left ventricular (LV) mass and arterial stiffness. In a previous trial, spironolactone improved these end points compared with placebo in subjects with early-stage CKD, but it is not known whether these effects were specific to the drug or secondary to blood pressure lowering., Aim: The aim was to investigate the hypothesis that spironolactone is superior to chlorthalidone in the reduction of LV mass while exerting similar effects on blood pressure., Design: This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point clinical trial initially designed to compare the effects of 40weeks of treatment with spironolactone 25mg once daily to chlorthalidone 25mg once daily on the co-primary end points of change in pulse wave velocity and change in LV mass in 350 patients with stages 2 and 3 CKD on established treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Because of slow recruitment rates, it became apparent that it would not be possible to recruit this sample size within the funded time period. The study design was therefore changed to one with a single primary end point of LV mass requiring 150 patients. Recruitment was completed on 31 December 2016, at which time 154 patients had been recruited. Investigations included cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, applanation tonometry, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and laboratory tests. Subjects are assessed before and after 40weeks of randomly allocated drug therapy and at 46weeks after discontinuation of the study drug., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To determine whether low-dose spironolactone can safely lower arterial stiffness in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 3 in the primary care setting., Design: A multicentre, prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study., Setting: 11 primary care centres in South Birmingham, England., Participants: Adult patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease. Main exclusion criteria were diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, severe hypertension, systolic blood pressure < 120 mm Hg or baseline serum potassium ≥ 5 mmol/L., Intervention: Eligible participants were randomised to receive either spironolactone 25 mg once daily, or matching placebo for an intended period of 40 weeks., Outcome Measures: The primary end point was the change in arterial stiffness as measured by pulse wave velocity. Secondary outcome measures included the rate of hyperkalaemia, deterioration of renal function, barriers to participation and expected recruitment rates to a potential future hard end point study., Results: From the 11 practices serving a population of 112,462, there were 1598 (1.4%) patients identified as being eligible and were invited to participate. Of these, 134 (8.4%) attended the screening visit of which only 16 (1.0%) were eligible for randomisation. The main reasons for exclusion were low systolic blood pressure (<120 mm Hg: 40 patients) and high estimated glomerular filtration rate (≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2): 38 patients). The trial was considered unfeasible and was terminated early., Conclusions: We highlight some of the challenges in undertaking research in primary care including patient participation in trials. This study not only challenged our preconceptions, but also provided important learning for future research in this large and important group of patients., Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN80658312., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/)

Background: Chronic kidney disease is associated with increased arterial stiffness even in the early stages and this is thought to be a key mediator in the pathophysiology of the increased cardiovascular risk associated with this condition. The use of low-dose spironolactone has previously been shown to improve arterial stiffness and reduce left ventricular mass safely in early-stage chronic kidney disease in the context of careful monitoring at a university hospital. However, the majority of patients with chronic kidney disease are managed by their general practitioners in the community. It is not known whether similar beneficial effects can be achieved safely using spironolactone in the primary care setting. The aim of this study is to determine whether low-dose spironolactone can safely lower arterial stiffness in patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease in the primary care setting., Methods/design: STOP-CKD is a multicentre, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of 240 adult patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease recruited from up to 20 general practices in South Birmingham, England. Participants will be randomly allocated using a secured web-based computer randomization system to receive either spironolactone 25 mg once daily or a matching inactive placebo for 40 weeks, followed by a wash-out period of 6 weeks. Investigators, outcome assessors, data analysts and participants will all be blinded to the treatment allocation. The primary endpoint is improved arterial stiffness, as measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity between baseline and 40 weeks. The secondary endpoints are incidence of hyperkalaemia, change in estimated glomerular filtration rate, change in urine albumin:creatinine ratio, change in brachial blood pressure, change in pulse waveform characteristics and overall tolerability of spironolactone. An additional quality control study, aiming to compare the laboratory serum potassium results of samples processed via two methods (utilizing routine transport or centrifugation on site before rapid transport to the laboratory) for 100 participants and a qualitative research study exploring patients' and general practitioners' attitudes to research and the use of spironolactone in chronic kidney disease in the community setting will be embedded in this pilot study., Trial Registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN80658312.

Aim: Mineralocorticoid receptor blockade (MRBs) in combination with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor blockade (ARBs) improve prognostic markers of cardiovascular and renal disease in early stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). Concerns relating to the safety and tolerability of MRBs in CKD may limit their use in a non clinical trial setting. METHODS In the Chronic Renal Impairment in Birmingham II study, 115 patients with non-diabetic early stage CKD (eGFR 30-89ml/min/1.73m(2) ) received 25mg daily of spironolactone for 4 weeks before randomization to continuing treatment or placebo for a further 36 weeks. All patients were on ACE inhibitors and/or ARB therapy. Potassium and renal function were checked at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 28 and 40. The incidence of hyperkalaemia, significant renal dysfunction (reduction eGFR ≥25%) and adverse effects was assessed., Results: After 40 weeks of treatment the incidence of serious hyperkalaemia (K(+) ≥6.0mmol/L) was <1%. A potassium 5.5-5.9mmol/L occurred on ≥1 occasion over follow-up in 11 patients (nine on spironolactone) and was predicted by baseline potassium ≥5.0mmol/L and eGFR ≤45 ml/min/1.73m(2) . Over follow-up, three patients experienced significant renal dysfunction but no patients withdrew due to intolerance or side effects. Changes in potassium, eGFR and systolic blood pressure were most apparent in the first 4 eeks., Conclusion: Spironolactone was well tolerated in selected patients with early stage CKD. Strict monitoring over the first month of treatment followed by standard surveillance as for ACE inhibitors and ARBs is suggested., (© 2011 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2011 The British Pharmacological Society.)

Patients with early chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Aldosterone levels are elevated and might impair ventricular function through adverse myocardial and vascular proinflammatory and fibrotic effects. In the Chronic Renal Impairment in Birmingham II (CRIB II) study, it was hypothesized that mineralocorticoid receptor blockade with spironolactone in addition to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers would improve left ventricular (LV) function and markers of inflammation, ventricular stretch, and collagen turnover in early CKD. A total of 112 patients with early CKD were randomized to spironolactone 25 mg/day or placebo for 40 weeks. Ventricular function was assessed by echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging tagging. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen were measured. Spironolactone improved LV long-axis systolic function (Sm 8.2 ± 1.4 vs 7.7 ± 1.3 cm/s, p <0.05), torsion (7.77 ± 1.61° vs 6.77 ± 1.48°, p <0.05), and myocardial deformation (strain rate -1.14 ± 0.24 vs -1.09 ± 0.20 s(-1), p <0.05) compared to placebo, without a change in the ejection fraction. Markers of LV relaxation (E/e' ratio 7.2 ± 2.3 vs 8.5 ± 2.3, p <0.05) and suction (M-mode propagation velocity 56 ± 12 vs 50 ± 12 cm/s, p <0.05) were also improved. Spironolactone reduced N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (24.8 pmol/L [range 0.4 to 122.4] vs 39.4 pmol/L [range 10.8 to 102.4], p <0.01) and attenuated an increase in aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen observed with placebo. In conclusion, spironolactone improves markers of regional LV systolic and diastolic function in early CKD., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Context: Aldosterone has emerged as an important mediator of disease progression and mortality in patients with chronic heart and kidney disease (CKD). Despite the increasing use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in these patients, little is known about the effects on corticosteroid hormone secretion and metabolism., Objective: To assess corticosteroid hormone secretion and metabolism in patients with early stage CKD before and after spironolactone (Spiro)., Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled interventional study., Setting: Single tertiary referral centre., Patients: A total of 112 patients with stable stage 2/3 CKD., Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive either Spiro 25 mg once daily or placebo for 36 weeks., Main Outcome Measures: Plasma renin activity (PRA), angiotensin II (AngII) and steroid hormones were analysed by standard assays; urinary corticosteroid hormone metabolites (5α+5β-tetrahydro-cortisol (5α+5β-THF), TH-cortisone (THE), 3α5β-TH-aldosterone (TH-Aldo), 5α+5β-TH-deoxycorticosterone (5α+5β-TH-DOC), TH-11-desoxycortisol (THS)) were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry., Results: Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) was inversely correlated with eGFR (r = -0·331, P < 0·001). Urinary 24-h excretion of TH-Aldo was correlated with PAC (r = 0·214, P < 0·05) and diastolic blood pressure (BP) (r = 0·212, P = <0·05), whereas total 24-h urinary cortisol metabolite excretion was correlated with systolic BP (r = 0·316, P < 0·01). In addition, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) type 1 activity (urinary 5α+5β-THF)/THE) ratio) was correlated with PRA (r = 0·277, P < 0·01). Spiro treatment significantly reduced BP (123 ± 11/76 ± 7 vs 119 ± 11/73 ± 8 mmHg, P < 0·01) despite renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system induction, reflected by increased urinary 24-h TH-Aldo excretion (17·6 (12, 86) vs 26 (18, 80) μg/24 h, P < 0·05). By contrast, Spiro had no effect on total urinary cortisol metabolite excretion, 11β-hydroxylase, 11β-HSD type 1 and 2 activity., Conclusions: Aldo and cortisol are positively associated with BP suggesting that adrenal hyperactivity may in part explain the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with early end-stage CKD. Addition of Spiro had no effect on glucocorticoid metabolism or total 24-h corticosteroid production., (© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Objectives: We sought to determine whether the addition of spironolactone to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) improves left ventricular mass and arterial stiffness in early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD)., Background: Chronic kidney disease is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease and a high prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy and arterial stiffness that confer an adverse prognosis. It is believed that these abnormalities are in part a result of activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system., Methods: After an active run-in phase with spironolactone 25 mg once daily, 112 patients with stage 2 and 3 CKD with good blood pressure control (mean daytime ambulatory blood pressure <130/85 mm Hg) on established treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs were randomized to continue spironolactone or to receive a matching placebo. Left ventricular mass (cardiac magnetic resonance) and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity/analysis, aortic distensibility) were measured before run in and after 40 weeks of treatment., Results: Compared with placebo, the use of spironolactone resulted in significant improvements in left ventricular mass (-14 +/- 13 g vs. +3 +/- 11 g, p < 0.01), pulse wave velocity (-0.8 +/- 1.0 m/s vs. -0.1 +/- 0.9 m/s, p < 0.01), augmentation index (-5.2 +/- 6.1% vs. -1.4 +/- 5.9%, p < 0.05), and aortic distensibility (0.69 +/- 0.86 x 10(-3) mm Hg vs. 0.04 +/- 1.04 x 10(-3) mm Hg, p < 0.01)., Conclusions: The use of spironolactone reduces left ventricular mass and improves arterial stiffness in early-stage CKD. These effects suggest that aldosterone exerts adverse cardiovascular effects in CKD and that spironolactone is worthy of further study as a treatment that could reduce adverse cardiovascular events. (Is Spironolactone Safe and Effective in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Mild Chronic Renal Failure; NCT00291720).

[Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]