Selexipag for the Treatment of Schistosomiasis-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (SELSCH)
Pulmonary Hypertension, Schistosomiasis
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Pulmonary Hypertension focused on measuring pulmonary arterial hypertension, schistosomiasis, selexipag, treatment, efficacy, safety
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients with symptomatic Sch-PAH. Sch-PAH diagnosis necessarily include the three criteria below
- Invasive confirmation of PAH, according to the criteria defined in the Pulmonary Hypertension Sixth World Symposium: mean pulmonary artery pressure higher than 20 mmHg, at rest, and the presence of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) equal to or greater than 3 W, and a pulmonary capillary pressure considered normal (equal to or lower than 15 mmHg (1)).
- At least one epidemiological criteria for chronic schistosomiasis: patient from a highly prevalent region for schistosomiasis or previous history of parasitic treatment for schistosomiasis or the presence of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in the patient's feces
Evidence of long-term hepatosplenic involvement by schistosomiasis, via compatible ultrasound findings (peri-portal fibrosis or enlarged left lobe) All patients will necessarily already be receiving at least one specific treatment for PAH, either with phosphodiesterase V inhibitor or with an endothelin receptor antagonist, with a stable dose for at least 12 weeks before inclusion in the study.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patient without clinical condition to perform the 6-minute walk test
- Patient with gastro-intestinal bleeding for over 12 weeks
Sites / Locations
- Universidade de São PauloRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Other
Selexipag
Selexipag will be up titrated for a period that will last 12 weeks (Phase 2). The initial dose will be 200 mcg of selexipag every 12 hours, with weekly dose increases of 200 mcg, up to the maximum dose of 1600 mcg every 12 hours or until the classic side effects of the prostacyclin pathway drugs (headache, mandibular pain), among others) arise. The dose will then be reduced by 200 mcg per dose, and this will be the maximum dose considered for that particular patient, maintained in Phase 3 (16 weeks).