A Study to Test the Effects of Riociguat in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LEPHT)

A Study to Test the Effects of Riociguat in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction

Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Parallel Group, Multi-center Study to Evaluate the Hemodynamic Effects of Riociguat (BAY 63-2521) as Well as Safety and Kinetics in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction

The aim of this study is to assess whether increasing oral doses of Riociguat are safe and improve the well-being, symptoms and outcome in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Pharmacokinetics parameters were regarded as exploratory parameters. Adverse event data will be covered in Adverse events section.

Participants received riociguat up to 2 mg three times per day (tid) (increasing from 0.5 to 1 to 2 mg).

Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAPmean) is a directly measured hemodynamic parameter. PAPmean is recorded during a right heart catheterization.

The mixed venous oxygen saturation rate (SvO2) is a directly measured hemodynamic parameter. SvO2 is recorded during a right heart catheterization.

The pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is a calculated hemodynamic parameter. PVR is derived from the directly measured parameters mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAPmean) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), divided by the cardiac output (CO). PVR and PAPmean are acquired during a right heart catheterization. CO is a calculated hemodynamic parameter, too. Formula: PVR = 80*(PAPmean - PCWP)/CO

The pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRi) is a calculated hemodynamic parameter. PVRi is derived from the pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) normalized by the body surface area (BSA). Formula: PVRi = 80*(PAPmean - PCWP)*BSA/CO

The systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is a calculated hemodynamic parameter. SVR is derived from the directly measured parameter mean right atrial pressure (RAPmean) and the calculated parameter mean systemic arterial pressure (SAPmean) divided by the cardiac output (CO). RAPmean is acquired during a right heart catheterization. CO is a calculated hemodynamic parameter, too. Formula: SVR = 80*(SAPmean - RAPmean)/CO

The systemic vascular resistance index (SVRi) is a calculated hemodynamic parameter. SVRi is derived from the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) normalized by the body surface area (BSA). Formula: SVRi = 80*(SAPmean - RAPmean)*BSA/CO

The transpulmonary pressure gradient (TPG) is a calculated hemodynamic parameter. TPG is calculated from the directly measured parameters mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAPmean) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). These 2 parameters are acquired during a right heart catheterization. Formula: TPG = PAPmean - PCWP

Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) is a directly measured hemodynamic parameter acquired during a right heart catheterization.

The tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) is a measured echocardiography parameter. It is acquired during a non-invasive echocardiography examination.

Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAPsyst) is a directly measured hemodynamic parameter acquired during a right heart catheterization.

The left ventricular ejection fraction work index (LVEF) is a calculated echocardiography parameter. LVEF is derived from the directly measured parameters left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV). These 2 parameters are acquired during a non-invasive echocardiography examination. Formula: LEVF = 100*(LVEDV - LVESV)/LVEDV

Left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) is a measured echocardiography parameter. It is acquired during a non-invasive echocardiography examination.

Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) is a measured echocardiography parameter. It is acquired during a non-invasive echocardiography examination.

E-wave deceleration time is a measured echocardiography parameter. It is acquired during a non-invasive echocardiography examination.

Ratio of Mitral Peak Velocity of Early Filling to Mitral Peak Velocity of Late Filling (E/A) - Change From Baseline to Week 16

E/A ratio is a measured echocardiography parameter and describes the ratio of mitral peak velocity of early filling to mitral peak velocity of late filling. It is acquired during a non-invasive echocardiography examination.

6-minute walking distance (6MWD) is a measure for the objective evaluation of a patient's functional exercise capacity.

The WHO functional assessment of pulmonary arterial hypertension ranged from functional class I (Patients with PH but without resulting limitation of physical activity) to class IV (Patients with PH with inability to carry out any physical activity without symptoms. These patients manifest signs of right-heart failure.). Changes to a lower WHO functional class resemble improvement, changes to a higher functional class resemble deterioration of PAH.

The combined endpoint "time to clinical worsening", made up of the following components, defined by the first occurrence: all cause mortality, including cardiovascular mortality; first hospitalization for a cardiovascular event, including heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, stroke or ventricular arrhythmia; upgrade of the HTx (heart transplantation) status to next higher level; need for IV diuretics; persistent worsening of WHO functional class due to deterioration of PH or cardiac function.

The Borg CR10 Scale is a patient reported outcome measure used in clinical diagnosis of e.g. breathlessness and dyspnea. It documents the patient's exertion during a physical test. Low values indicate low levels of exertion, high values indicate more intense exertion reported by the patient. The score ranges from 0 ("Nothing at all") to 10 ("Extremely strong - Maximal").

EQ-5D utility score is a Quality-of-Life patient reported outcome measure. An increase in the utility score represents an improvement in quality of life. The score ranges from 0 (worst imaginable health state) to 100 (best imaginable health state).

The self-reported Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire (MLHF) is designed to measure the effects of PH and PH-specific treatments on an individual's quality of life. The MLHF total score can range from 0 (best) to 105 (worst).

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) levels in the blood are used for screening, diagnosis of acute congestive heart failure (CHF) and may be useful to establish prognosis in heart failure.

Troponin T is a cardiac-specific protein which is released from damaged or injured heart muscle cells.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxides. Recent clinical studies have indicated that ADMA may have diagnostic relevance as a novel cardiovascular risk marker.

Osteopontin is a cytokine-like pro-fibrotic mediator, which is expressed in cardiovascular tissues. Its expression is induced by increased pressure and volume load in the myocardium, kidney and lung. Therefore, osteopontin may be used as a prognostic marker in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Inclusion Criteria: Male and female patients with symptomatic pulmonary hypertension due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction despite optimized heart failure therapy Exclusion Criteria: Types of pulmonary hypertension other than group 2.1 of Dana Point Classification

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Ghio S, Bonderman D, Felix SB, Ghofrani HA, Michelakis ED, Mitrovic V, Oudiz RJ, Frey R, Roessig L, Semigran MJ. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction associated with pulmonary hypertension riociguat trial (LEPHT): rationale and design. Eur J Heart Fail. 2012 Aug;14(8):946-53. doi: 10.1093/eurjhf/hfs071. Epub 2012 Jun 20.

Bonderman D, Ghio S, Felix SB, Ghofrani HA, Michelakis E, Mitrovic V, Oudiz RJ, Boateng F, Scalise AV, Roessig L, Semigran MJ; Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Associated With Pulmonary Hypertension Riociguat Trial (LEPHT) Study Group. Riociguat for patients with pulmonary hypertension caused by systolic left ventricular dysfunction: a phase IIb double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging hemodynamic study. Circulation. 2013 Jul 30;128(5):502-11. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.001458. Epub 2013 Jun 17.