Riociguat Clinical Effects Studied in Patients With Insufficient Treatment Response to Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitor (RESPITE)
Hypertension, Pulmonary
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Hypertension, Pulmonary
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male or female patients (18 -75 years of age) with idiopathic, familial, drug/toxin induced and associated PAH due to congenital heart disease (Group I / Dana Point Classification of PH) demonstrating insufficient response to treatment with PDE-5i for at least 3 months
- Patients with and without endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) therapy
- World Health Organization Functional Class (WHO FC) III at screening
- 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) of 165-440 m
- Cardiac index <3.0 L/min/m*2.
Exclusion Criteria:
- All types of PH except subtypes of Dana Point Group I specified in the inclusion criteria
- Evidence of clinically significant restrictive or obstructive parenchymal lung diseases
- Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) <30% predicted
- History or active state of serious hemoptysis / pulmonary hemorrhage including those managed by bronchial artery embolization
- Patients unable to perform a valid 6MWD test
- Pregnant women (i.e. positive pregnancy test or other signs of pregnancy), or breast feeding women, or women with childbearing potential not using a combination of 2 effective methods of birth control, for example a combination of condoms with a safe and highly effective contraception method (prescription oral contraceptives, contraceptive injections, contraceptive patch, intrauterine device) or a double barrier method is used throughout the study.
Sites / Locations
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
Riociguat
Subjects received riociguat film coated immediate-release (IR) tablet 3 times a day (tid) with or without food at a starting dose of 1.0 milligram (mg) and increased by 0.5 mg increments at 2-weekly intervals to a maximum of 2.5 mg tid, until Week 8 (titration phase). An optimal dose was determined based on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and well-being. Thereafter, riociguat continued at the optimal individual dose until Week 24 (Main phase). Dose reductions or stop of study medication for safety reasons were allowed at any time. Increases or re-increases in 0.5 mg steps (maximum dose 2.5 mg) were possible at the investigator's discretion weighing the benefit with potential risks implied. Subjects were offered participation in EDSP and received riociguat 2.5 mg film coated IR tablet 3 tid with or without food for 18 months or until reimbursement.