Buspirone as a Potential Treatment for Recurrent Central Apnea



Status:Terminated
Conditions:Insomnia Sleep Studies, Cardiology, Pulmonary
Therapuetic Areas:Cardiology / Vascular Diseases, Psychiatry / Psychology, Pulmonary / Respiratory Diseases
Healthy:No
Age Range:40 - 75
Updated:4/21/2016
Start Date:September 2008
End Date:December 2011

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Buspirone as a Potential Treatment for Recurrent Central Apneas

The purpose of this study is to determine whether buspirone compared to acetazolamide and to
placebo will reduce the number and/or severity of breathing pauses during sleep that occur
in some patients with Heart Failure.

The hypothesis is that buspirone is a safe, effective drug to reduce the occurrence of
recurrent central apnea and irregular breathing found in the setting of heart failure. A
secondary hypothesis is that its effect will be similar to that or acetazolamide. Study
Design: A one-dose double-blind crossover study of buspirone vs. placebo vs. acetazolamide
will be performed to determine if active drug alters the number and/or severity of recurrent
central apneas and hypopneas (AHI) in patients with heart failure. AHI is the primary
outcome variable. In the initial phase of this study, we will recruit 18-20 patients to
obtain ~15 complete studies, using the assumption of a ~20% drop-out, to reach a pre-set
significance level of a 30% reduction in AHI in the drug groups with a power of 0.90 and a
p=0.05 by post-hoc testing. Power estimates were calculated using the means and SDs derived
from the population reported the study of acetazolamide by Javaheri et al (2006). A 30%
reduction in AHI would be meaningful. A 15% dropout rate was present in the study by
Javaheri et al (2006), but as our study is a three-way comparison, we chose a slightly
higher rate. The reasons stated in these articles for a drop out included: viral illness, GI
upset (on placebo or on theophyllin), tired of the sleep studies, and desire to terminate
without cause. Statistical Analyses. Analysis of variance for repeated measures using
Sidak's correction will be used to compare placebo, buspirone, and acetazolamide studies.
For variables that are not normally distributed, Dunn's nonparametric test for multiple
comparisons will be used. p > 0.05 will be considered significant. Mean values and SDs will
be reported. This single dose, one night study is called Buspirone as a Potential Treatment
for Recurrent Sleep Apnea I.

The randomization will be in a block design, and the analysis will take into account the
blocked design. We will recruit 30 patients to obtain ~27 complete studies, using the
assumption of a ~25% drop-out, to reach a pre-set significance level of a 50% reduction in
AHI in the drug groups with a power of 0.90 and a p=0.05 by post-hoc testing (see Table C
below). Power estimates were calculated using the means and SDs derived from the population
reported the study of a one week trial of acetazolamide by Javaheri, values similar to those
in the drug trial for theophyllin. Our reasoning is that a 50% reduction in AHI would be
most meaningful. Our drop-out rate in the one-night study is estimated at ~25%.

Exclusion criteria of use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or
antidepressants, while necessary because one of the drugs was buspirone, were too stringent
for completion of this study in the VA setting. Of ~1000 patient charts screens, 8 were
eventually entered into the trial, so that power criteria were not met. Records are being
utilized to probe for hidden features in the PSG for use in future drug trials.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Ability to provide informed consent,

- Ambulatory and in stable condition for the past 4 months,

- A diagnosis of heart failure with left ventricular systolic dysfunction as evidenced
by an ejection fraction <35%,

- NYHA class II or III clinical status, and

- Diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy or ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Unstable angina, unstable heart failure, acute pulmonary edema, congenital heart
disease

- History of unstable and/or advanced hepatic disease

- History of renal failure, CrCL < 30

- Current use of an SSRI, or use within one month of testing

- Intrinsic pulmonary diseases: ILD and/or COPD (FEV1/FVC < 65%)

- Kyphoscoliosis or neuromuscular disease

- Suboptimally treated hypothyroidism

- Use of narcotics or benzodiazepines

- Use of theophylline or pseudoephedrine

- Use the following medications:

- MAO inhibitors

- diazepam

- haloperidol

- nefazodone

- trazodone

- erythromycin

- grapefruit juice

- itraconazole

- rifampin

- ketoconazole

- ritonavir,

- cimetidine

- Known allergy to buspirone or acetazolamide
We found this trial at
1
site
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
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from
Cleveland, OH
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