Potassium Correction for RAAS Optimization in Chronic Kidney Disease
NCT ID: NCT06256991
Last Updated: 2025-12-19
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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RECRUITING
PHASE4
44 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2024-04-01
2027-12-31
Brief Summary
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The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does patiromer allow uptitration of irbesartan, resulting in a significant reduction in albuminuria and blood pressure?
* Does patiromer allow uptitration of irbesartan, resulting in a significant reduction in blood pressure?
The trial contains the following interventions:
* Participants will be switched from their ACEi/ARB to a standardised dose of irbesartan (150 mg/d).
* During two 12-week study periods, participants will receive either patiromer 8.4 g/d or placebo. The order of study periods is randomized.
* At the start of each study period irbesartan will be up-titrated to 300 mg/d.
* After 1 and 6 weeks, at both periods, plasma potassium will be measured and the irbesartan dose will be reduced to 150 mg/d in case plasma potassium exceeds 5.0 mmol/L.
* At 12 weeks from the start of the study period, the endpoints will be assessed.
* Between the two study periods, there is a 6-week washout. Irbesartan dose during the wash-out period will be 150mg/d. After washout, participants will switch from the patiromer arm to the placebo arm or vice versa.
Detailed Description
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First, during a run-in period, each participant will be converted from their ACEi/ARB dose to irbesartan 150 mg once daily. Individuals who already used irbesartan 150mg once daily before trial participation will remain on this dose during the run-in period. After six weeks, blood and 24-hour urine samples will be collected (baseline visit) and participants will be randomized to patiromer or placebo (start of study period A). The participant, research team, and treating physician will be blinded to treatment allocation (patiromer or placebo), while irbesartan will remain open-label.
At one week after start of study period A and B, participants will perform a home blood pressure measurement and visit a local lab to verify the plasma potassium level (safety visit), in combination with a scheduled phone consultation. The following actions may be taken: 1) If plasma potassium is \>5.0 mmol/L or eGFR is \>25% lower than baseline, the dose of irbesartan will be reduced to 150 mg/d and remain so during the remainder of the study period; 2) If systolic blood pressure is \<110 mmHg, the participant has symptoms of hypotension, and plasma potassium is \<5.0 mmol/L, antihypertensive co-medication may be adjusted, if applicable. If there is no antihypertensive co-medication that can be adjusted, the irbesartan dose will be reduced to 150 mg/d during the remainder of the study period.
At six weeks after start of the study period, there will be an in-hospital study visit. Blood samples will be collected, and office blood pressure will be measured. Any of the same two actions as described above may be taken in case of hyperkalaemia, severe acute kidney function decline or hypotension, respectively.
At the end of each 12-week study period, blood and 24-hour urine samples will be collected, and home (as well as office) blood pressure will be measured to establish the study endpoints. In addition, the study medication (patiromer/placebo) will be stopped and irbesartan dose will be reduced (or maintained) at 150 mg once daily. After a 6-week washout period, the second baseline will take place (measurements identical to the first baseline), which marks the start of study period B. During study period B, participants who had been randomized to patiromer in period A will now receive placebo and vice versa. The measurements during study period B will be identical to period A. At 12 weeks after the start of study period B, the protocol is completed and patients will return to their original medication.
The investigators chose a cross-over study design to be able to use participants as their own control; this will enhance statistical power and reduce the number of required participants. Based on previous studies, it is known that 6 weeks are sufficient to reach stable albuminuria and blood pressure after an ARB dose change. Therefore, even if halfway the 12-week study period a dose reduction is made, there is enough time for albuminuria and blood pressure to stabilize before the end of the study period (i.e., when the primary endpoint is established). A 6-week washout period is inserted to avoid carry-over effects.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
CROSSOVER
TREATMENT
TRIPLE
Study Groups
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Patiromer
All participants will receive patiromer 8.4g/d (powder for oral suspension) during one of the two 12-week study periods. Following a 6-week washout, participants will switch from the patiromer arm to the placebo arm or vice versa (cross-over design).
Patiromer 8400 MG [Veltassa]
Patiromer is a cation-exchanging polymer intended for oral intake that is not resorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract. Patiromer has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and is available for clinical use in The Netherlands for the indication of hyperkalemia in adults. It contains calcium-sorbitol complex as a counter-ion. Patiromer increases the faecal excretion of potassium in the gastro-intestinal lumen by exchange with part of the calcium. This results in a lower concentration of free potassium in the gastro-intestinal lumen, reducing in turn plasma potassium concentration. After initiation of patiromer, a clinically significant reduction in plasma potassium can be observed at around 7 hours, the effect persists for approximately 24 hours. Patiromer is excreted by the fecal route, 24-48 hrs after ingestion. Since patiromer is not absorbed or metabolized by the body, other drugs are not expected to influence the efficacy of patiromer.
Placebo
All participants will receive placebo 8.4g/d (powder for oral suspension) during one of the two 12-week study periods. Following a 6-week washout, participants will switch from the patiromer arm to the placebo arm or vice versa (cross-over design).
Placebo
Placebo is a powder with a similar appearance, smell, and taste as patiromer, but without and clinically detectable effects. It is intended for oral intake.
Interventions
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Patiromer 8400 MG [Veltassa]
Patiromer is a cation-exchanging polymer intended for oral intake that is not resorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract. Patiromer has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and is available for clinical use in The Netherlands for the indication of hyperkalemia in adults. It contains calcium-sorbitol complex as a counter-ion. Patiromer increases the faecal excretion of potassium in the gastro-intestinal lumen by exchange with part of the calcium. This results in a lower concentration of free potassium in the gastro-intestinal lumen, reducing in turn plasma potassium concentration. After initiation of patiromer, a clinically significant reduction in plasma potassium can be observed at around 7 hours, the effect persists for approximately 24 hours. Patiromer is excreted by the fecal route, 24-48 hrs after ingestion. Since patiromer is not absorbed or metabolized by the body, other drugs are not expected to influence the efficacy of patiromer.
Placebo
Placebo is a powder with a similar appearance, smell, and taste as patiromer, but without and clinically detectable effects. It is intended for oral intake.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* CKD stage 3b-4 (eGFR 15-44 mL/min/1.73 m2)
* Albumin-creatinine ratio \>3 mg/mmol, or proteinuria \>0.05g/24u, or protein-creatinine ratio \> 5mg/mmol
* Systolic blood pressure \>130 mmHg or use of one or more antihypertensive drugs;
* Serum K+ 4.0-5.0 mmol/L;
* On sub-maximal dose ACEi/ARB
Exclusion Criteria
* history of severe hyperkalaemia (\>6.0 mmol/L) in the last year;
* pregnancy or breastfeeding
* life expectancy \<12 months
* the use of lithium, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, trimethoprim or NSAIDS
* kidney transplant recipients, or diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease or other non-glomerular kidney disease
18 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Amsterdam University Medical Center
OTHER
Frisius Medisch Centrum
OTHER
Isala
OTHER
Vifor Pharma, Inc.
INDUSTRY
Dutch Kidney Foundation
OTHER
Health Holland
OTHER
University Medical Center Groningen
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Liffert Vogt, prof. dr.
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Amsterdam University Medical Centre
Aaltje Adema, dr.
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Frisius Medisch Centrum
Femke Waanders, dr.
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Isala Zwolle
Martin de Borst, prof. dr.
Role: STUDY_CHAIR
University Medical Center Groningen
Locations
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University Medical Center Groningen
Groningen, , Netherlands
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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Martin de Borst, prof. dr.
Role: primary
Other Identifiers
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17237
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id