Antihypertensive Treatment in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage "ATACH"

Active, not recruiting

Phase 1 Results

Trial Description

The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of lowering blood pressure using nicardipine in persons with acute hypertension associated with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Detailed Description

An estimated 37,000 to 52,400 people in the United States have intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) every year. ICH——a form of stroke that has poor outcome and is difficult to treat——is associated with the highest mortality rate of all strokes. Hematoma expansion has been identified as the most common cause of neurological deterioration in persons with ICH. Early evidence suggests that acute hypertension (HTN)—or elevated blood pressure—may make some individuals more susceptible to hematoma expansion. Treating HTN acutely may prevent hematoma expansion, however, the effect of aggressive HTN treatment has not been determined.
The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the treatment feasibility and safety of lowering blood pressure using nicardipine——an antihypertensive medication——in persons who have acute HTN associated with ICH.
This pilot study will enroll 60 individuals who qualify with a presenting systolic blood pressure of at least 170 mmHg, have an ICH, and can be evaluated and treatment initiated within 6 hours of onset of stroke symptoms. In a stepwise fashion, the scientists will investigate the potential consequences of controlling blood pressure with intravenous nicardipine at 3 sequential levels: 170 to 200 mmHg, 140 to 170 mmHg, and 110 to 140 mmHg. Twenty participants will be enrolled per level.
Treatment will last 18 to 24 hours. Participants will stay in the hospital for about 7 days (including 24 hours in the intensive care unit for close monitoring) and will return for 1-hour follow-up visits at 30 days and at 90 days after discharge from the hospital. During these visits participants will receive neurological assessments to determine their functional outcome. For participants, the study will be completed after the 90-day follow-up visit.

Conditions

Interventions

  • Nicardipine (Cardene)Drug
    Intervention Desc: Intravenous (IV) nicardipine infusion. It is expected that the treatment duration will vary between 18 and 24 hours. Started at 5mg/h Titrated by 2.5mg/hour every 15 minutes to bring systolic blood pressure in target range for the applicable Tier. Max dose 15mg/hour *Once target systolic blood pressure reached, dose decreased by 2.5mg/hour every 15 minutes until systolic blood pressure maintained in the target range or the medication is discontinued.
    ARM 1: Kind: Experimental
    Label: Tier 1
    Description: Dose escalation the scientists will investigate the potential consequences of controlling blood pressure with intravenous nicardipine at 170 to 200 mmHg
    ARM 2: Kind: Experimental
    Label: Tier 2
    Description: Dose escalation the scientists will investigate the potential consequences of controlling blood pressure with intravenous nicardipine at 140 to 170 mmHg
    ARM 3: Kind: Experimental
    Label: Tier 3
    Description: Dose escalation the scientists will investigate the potential consequences of controlling blood pressure with intravenous nicardipine at 110 to 140 mmHg

Trial Design

  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Masking: Open Label
  • Purpose: Treatment
  • Endpoint: Safety Study
  • Intervention: Single Group Assignment

Patient Involvement

Step-wise, interventional design. Enrolled patients will be administered anti-hypertensive treatment to reduce systolic blood pressure to 170-200 mm Hg. Following success of this, patients will be graduated to the next two levels of blood pressure reduction (140-170 mm Hg and 110-140 mm Hg). Institutional DSMB approval will be required to move patients to the next level.

Outcomes

Type Measure Time Frame Safety Issue
Primary Tolerability, the ability to achieve reduction of blood pressure and maintain treatment goals (the specified systolic blood pressure range for the 18-24 hour period) without neurological deterioration or side effects.
Secondary Safety, as determined by the amount of neurological deteriorations during the 24 hour treatment period, plus the number of serious adverse events
Primary Tolerability, the ability to achieve reduction of blood pressure and maintain treatment goals (the specified systolic blood pressure range for the 18-24 hour period) without neurological deterioration or side effects 18-24 hour period Yes

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