Breathe Easier With Tadalafil Therapy for Dyspnea in COPD-PH (BETTER COPD-PH)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension, Dyspnea
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease focused on measuring COPD, cigarette smoke, lung, echocardiography, chest CT, physical activity, spirometry, dyspnea, clinically important deterioration
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Outpatients with COPD, defined as airflow limitation with post-bronchodilator obstruction on baseline visit spirometry, identified by FEV1/FVC < 70% or < the lower limit of normal (5th percentile of a normal population based on Global Lung Function Initiative reference equations), OR any emphysema on chest CT noted in a clinical radiology report confirmed by study investigator review. Eligible subjects must have PH documented as follows: -Main Pulmonary Artery/Ascending Aorta (PA/A) diameter > 1.0 on clinically available CT scans AND transthoracic echocardiography showing normal LVEF with no evidence of moderate-severe aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation or diastolic dysfunction. Previous CT scan and echocardiogram done within 12 months of enrollment. OR -echocardiography done within 12 months of enrollment demonstrating PA sys > 40 mmHg AND normal LVEF with no evidence of moderate-severe aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation or diastolic dysfunction Eligible subjects must be dyspneic, as quantitated by a score of at least 10 on the baseline UCSD Shortness of Breath Questionnaire, assessed at the time of the screening visit. Treatment with at least one long-acting bronchodilator for at least 4 weeks, assessed at the time of the screening visit by chart review and patient interview. AGE 35-89 Years Exclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of PH in the following subgroups of the updated WHO Clinical Classification: Group 1 (Idiopathic, heritable, drug- or toxin-induced, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension associated with connective tissue disease, congenital heart disease), Group 2 (left atrial hypertension), Group 3 PH not attributable to COPD, Group 4 (chronic thromboembolic PH) or other forms of PH not associated with primary lung disease. Systemic hypotension in the ambulatory setting (at least 3 reproducible measurements of systolic BP <89 mmHg, recorded by a health care provider over 1 week). 3. Moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B and C). 4. Severe renal insufficiency (GFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2) 5. Echocardiography showing moderate or greater aortic stenosis (aortic valve area <1.0 cm2), moderate-severe mitral regurgitation, or diastolic dysfunction (Any two of the following: Average E/e' >14, Septal e' velocity < 7 or lateral e' velocity <10, LA volume index > 34 ml/m2). LVEF < 50%. 6. Any acute or chronic impairment (other than dyspnea) that limits ability to comply with the study requirements. 7. Current unstable angina, myocardial infarction or stroke within 6 months. 8. Requirement for nitrate therapy for any clinical indication. 9. Active prescription for a PDE-5 inhibitor or other pulmonary vasodilator other than oxygen as a PH treatment. 10. History of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or crowded optic disc noted on ophthalmology examinations recorded in CPRS. 11. Contraindications: PDE-5i allergy, penile anatomical deformations, sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia, bleeding disorders, active peptic ulcer disease, retinitis pigmentosa or other retinal disorders. In accordance with 38 USC 7332, this information will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed in presentations, publications, or any other dissemination of the study results, or to anyone outside of the IRB-approved study team. 12. Use of any of the following: protease inhibitor, anti-fungal agent, rifampin. 13. Pregnant or breastfeeding women. 14. Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease 16. Hypoxia (reproducible ambulatory SaO2 < 90% on supplemental oxygen at rest recorded by a health care provider over 1 week). 17. Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea without a prescription for treatment. 18. Newly prescribed (less than 4 weeks duration) bronchodilator or diuretic therapy or new enrollment in pulmonary rehabilitation at the time of Screening. 19. Students, VA employees, persons with impaired decision making, illiterate and non-English speakers, and terminally ill patients. 20. Nonadherence to accepted GOLD guidelines for treatment of COPD. 21. COPD or CHF exacerbation within the past 4 weeks. 22. On-going therapy with doxazosin.
Sites / Locations
- Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO
- Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA
- VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus, Jamaica Plain, MA
- Omaha VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE
- Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Placebo Comparator
Active Comparator
Placebo
tadalafil
Encapsulated placebo one or 2 encapsulated tablets po QD
one or 2 encapsulated tablets of encapsulated tadalafil (20MG) po QD