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CAlgary SAlt for POTS (CASA-POTS)

Primary Purpose

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Sodium Chloride Capsules
Microcystalline Cellulose Capsules
Sponsored by
University of Calgary
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome focused on measuring Sodium, Salt, Treatment

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - 60 Years (Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria: Physician Diagnosis of POTS as defined by the CCS Consensus Statement and as follows: Sustained, excessive orthostatic tachycardia ≥ 30 bpm within 10 minutes standing. Absence of orthostatic hypotension (>20/10 mmHg decrease) within 3 minutes standing. Chronic orthostatic symptoms that improve with recumbence. Age 18-60 years old. Ability to attend the Calgary Autonomic Research Clinic in Calgary. Resident of Canada Exclusion Criteria: Overt cause for postural tachycardia (i.e., acute dehydration, thyroid disease) Participants with somatization or severe anxiety symptoms will be excluded Pregnant (self-reported) Underlying causes of tachycardia including acute hypovolemia, endocrinopathy, anemia, anxiety, medication effects, recreational drug effects, and prolonged bedrest. Other factors which in the investigator's opinion would prevent the participant from completing the protocol, including poor compliance during previous studies Fludrocortisone use (due to effects on renal Na+ handling) Patients who have received IV saline in the 2 months preceding the study or who plan to receive it during the course of the study

Sites / Locations

    Arms of the Study

    Arm 1

    Arm 2

    Arm Type

    Experimental

    Placebo Comparator

    Arm Label

    Moderate Dietary Salt Plus Additional Salt

    Moderate Dietary Salt Alone

    Arm Description

    6 grams of salt in slow release capsules combined with 6 grams of salt in the diet.

    6 grams of microcrystalline cellulose in slow release capsules combined with 6 grams of salt in the diet.

    Outcomes

    Primary Outcome Measures

    Upright Heart Rate
    Upright heart rate measured during the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm compared to the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt alone arm

    Secondary Outcome Measures

    Vanderbilt Orthostatic Symptom Score (VOSS)
    VOSS score measured during the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm compared to the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt alone arm
    Systolic Blood Pressure
    Upright systolic blood pressure measured during the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm compared to the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt alone arm
    Diastolic Blood Pressure
    Upright systolic blood pressure measured during the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm compared to the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt alone arm
    Stroke volume
    Upright stroke volume measured during the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm compared to the tilt table test at the end of the moderate salt alone arm

    Full Information

    First Posted
    June 20, 2023
    Last Updated
    June 28, 2023
    Sponsor
    University of Calgary
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    1. Study Identification

    Unique Protocol Identification Number
    NCT05924646
    Brief Title
    CAlgary SAlt for POTS
    Acronym
    CASA-POTS
    Official Title
    CAlgary SAlt for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Study
    Study Type
    Interventional

    2. Study Status

    Record Verification Date
    June 2023
    Overall Recruitment Status
    Not yet recruiting
    Study Start Date
    July 1, 2023 (Anticipated)
    Primary Completion Date
    June 30, 2026 (Anticipated)
    Study Completion Date
    December 31, 2027 (Anticipated)

    3. Sponsor/Collaborators

    Responsible Party, by Official Title
    Sponsor
    Name of the Sponsor
    University of Calgary

    4. Oversight

    Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
    No
    Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
    No
    Data Monitoring Committee
    Yes

    5. Study Description

    Brief Summary
    Many patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) have decreased plasma volume. Current POTS guidelines recommend ~10 g of salt and 2-3 L of fluid per day. Despite this recommendation, there is no long term data evaluating the use of salt in POTS. This randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over trial will evaluate a high salt diet, compared to a normal salt diet over a period of 3 months. Participants will complete 3 in lab evaluations including autonomic function testing, tilt table testing, blood volume and urine sodium evaluation, plasma catecholamine measurements and and cytokine measurements.
    Detailed Description
    Background and Rationale: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of autonomic cardiovascular disease, primarily in women, that is often disabling. The investigators and others have found that many patients with postural tachycardia have decreased plasma volume. Current POTS guidelines recommend ~10 g of salt and 2-3 L of fluid per day. In a proof of concept dietary salt study, the investigators recently showed 6 days of a high salt diet (300 mEq/d), compared to a low salt diet, increases plasma volume, reduced standing plasma norepinephrine, and reduced HR. The high salt diet reduced the median orthostatic tachycardia by 14 bpm. Currently there is only evidence showing the benefits of supplemental salt-intake over one week. It is unknown whether the increased blood volume from high dietary salt intake will persist over several weeks, or if an "escape mechanism" will reduce blood volumes back to baseline levels. This longer-term clinical trial of high dietary salt and water will address this "escape mechanism" and ongoing dietary compliance in POTS. Research Question & Objectives: Primary Hypothesis: The primary hypothesis is that after 6 weeks of a moderate dietary salt plus additional salt diet, the upright HR will be lower than after 6 weeks on a moderate dietary salt alone diet. Secondary hypotheses: The secondary hypotheses include: Symptoms evaluated using the VOSS symptom score after 6 weeks of a moderate dietary salt plus additional salt diet will be reduced compared to after 6 weeks of a moderate dietary salt alone diet; Upright stroke volume after 6 weeks of a moderate dietary salt plus additional salt diet will be increased compared to after 6 weeks of a moderate dietary salt alone diet; Blood volume after 6 weeks of a moderate dietary salt plus additional salt diet will be increased compared to after 6 weeks of a moderate dietary salt alone diet; Upright plasma catecholamines after 6 weeks of a moderate dietary salt plus additional salt diet will be increased compared to after 6 weeks of a moderate dietary salt alone diet; Quality of life after 6 weeks of a moderate dietary salt plus additional salt diet will be increased compared to after 6 weeks of a moderate dietary salt alone diet. 3. Methods: Interventions: All participants will be instructed to each 5-6 g of salt per day in their diet. In the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm, participants will receive blinded capsules that contain 6g of salt per day (12x 500g slow- release capsules). They will take 2g of salt 3 times per day. Participants in the placebo arm will receive blinded capsules that contain 6g of microcrystalline cellulose. Protocol compliance will be assessed with 24h urine sodium. Randomization: This is a blinded cross-over study. The investigators will randomize patients to start with either salt capsules or placebo. After the 6-week study arm, participants will cross-over to the second study arm. Study Visit Schedule: The study will consist of three in-house study sessions: a baseline assessment, and an assessment at the end of each study arm: moderate dietary salt plus additional salt and placebo. The baseline visit will serve as a screening visit. Each study session will take place over 1 day in the Autonomic Lab at the University of Calgary. There will also be four 24hr urine sodium collections, and multiple online REDCap surveys. In-Lab Evaluation: The in-lab evaluation sessions while consist of autonomic function testing including a 10-minute tilt test, blood volume assessment, and supine and standing bloodwork. An IV will be started for the blood work. Urine Sodium: Participants will complete a 24-hr urine sodium test around the time of each in-lab evaluation, as well as before the 1 week study wash in. Study Surveys: At each assessment point (baseline and end of each arm), the investigators will send participants a secure REDCap survey link. At the end of the study, participants will also receive a patient experience survey. Participants will receive a total of 4 surveys.

    6. Conditions and Keywords

    Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
    Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
    Keywords
    Sodium, Salt, Treatment

    7. Study Design

    Primary Purpose
    Treatment
    Study Phase
    Not Applicable
    Interventional Study Model
    Crossover Assignment
    Model Description
    Randomized cross-over trial with two arms: high salt and normal salt (placebo).
    Masking
    ParticipantInvestigator
    Masking Description
    Study participants and investigators will be blinded throughout the duration of the study.
    Allocation
    Randomized
    Enrollment
    50 (Anticipated)

    8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

    Arm Title
    Moderate Dietary Salt Plus Additional Salt
    Arm Type
    Experimental
    Arm Description
    6 grams of salt in slow release capsules combined with 6 grams of salt in the diet.
    Arm Title
    Moderate Dietary Salt Alone
    Arm Type
    Placebo Comparator
    Arm Description
    6 grams of microcrystalline cellulose in slow release capsules combined with 6 grams of salt in the diet.
    Intervention Type
    Dietary Supplement
    Intervention Name(s)
    Sodium Chloride Capsules
    Intervention Description
    Table salt in slow release capsules.
    Intervention Type
    Other
    Intervention Name(s)
    Microcystalline Cellulose Capsules
    Intervention Description
    Microcrystalline Cellulose Capsules (Placebo)
    Primary Outcome Measure Information:
    Title
    Upright Heart Rate
    Description
    Upright heart rate measured during the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm compared to the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt alone arm
    Time Frame
    10 Minutes
    Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
    Title
    Vanderbilt Orthostatic Symptom Score (VOSS)
    Description
    VOSS score measured during the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm compared to the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt alone arm
    Time Frame
    10 Minutes
    Title
    Systolic Blood Pressure
    Description
    Upright systolic blood pressure measured during the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm compared to the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt alone arm
    Time Frame
    10 Minutes
    Title
    Diastolic Blood Pressure
    Description
    Upright systolic blood pressure measured during the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm compared to the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt alone arm
    Time Frame
    10 minutes
    Title
    Stroke volume
    Description
    Upright stroke volume measured during the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm compared to the tilt table test at the end of the moderate salt alone arm
    Time Frame
    10 minutes
    Other Pre-specified Outcome Measures:
    Title
    Blood Volume
    Description
    Blood volume measured at the end of the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm compared to the end of the moderate salt alone arm
    Time Frame
    1 hour
    Title
    Upright Plasma Norepinephrine
    Description
    Upright plasma norepinephrine measured during the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt plus additional salt arm compared to the tilt table test at the end of the moderate dietary salt arm
    Time Frame
    10 minutes

    10. Eligibility

    Sex
    All
    Minimum Age & Unit of Time
    18 Years
    Maximum Age & Unit of Time
    60 Years
    Accepts Healthy Volunteers
    No
    Eligibility Criteria
    Inclusion Criteria: Physician Diagnosis of POTS as defined by the CCS Consensus Statement and as follows: Sustained, excessive orthostatic tachycardia ≥ 30 bpm within 10 minutes standing. Absence of orthostatic hypotension (>20/10 mmHg decrease) within 3 minutes standing. Chronic orthostatic symptoms that improve with recumbence. Age 18-60 years old. Ability to attend the Calgary Autonomic Research Clinic in Calgary. Resident of Canada Exclusion Criteria: Overt cause for postural tachycardia (i.e., acute dehydration, thyroid disease) Participants with somatization or severe anxiety symptoms will be excluded Pregnant (self-reported) Underlying causes of tachycardia including acute hypovolemia, endocrinopathy, anemia, anxiety, medication effects, recreational drug effects, and prolonged bedrest. Other factors which in the investigator's opinion would prevent the participant from completing the protocol, including poor compliance during previous studies Fludrocortisone use (due to effects on renal Na+ handling) Patients who have received IV saline in the 2 months preceding the study or who plan to receive it during the course of the study
    Central Contact Person:
    First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
    Satish R Raj, MD MSCI
    Phone
    4032106152
    Email
    autonomic.research@ucalgary.ca
    First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
    Tanya Siddiqui, MBBS
    Email
    autonomic.research@ucalgary.ca
    Overall Study Officials:
    First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
    Satish R Raj
    Organizational Affiliation
    University of Calgary
    Official's Role
    Principal Investigator

    12. IPD Sharing Statement

    Learn more about this trial

    CAlgary SAlt for POTS

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