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Randomized Study of Triple Therapy vs Sildenafil Dose Optimization in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Sponsor: University of Sao Paulo General Hospital
Summary
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and progressive disease characterized by increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, leading to right heart failure and premature death. Although combination therapy has improved outcomes, many patients remain at intermediate or high clinical risk despite treatment. When patients do not reach low-risk status, treatment escalation is recommended. However, different escalation strategies are used in clinical practice, including increasing the dose of existing medications or adding a third drug that targets a different biological pathway. There is limited prospective randomized evidence directly comparing these approaches. The ASCEND-PAH study is a prospective, randomized, open-label clinical trial designed to compare two therapeutic escalation strategies in adults with PAH who remain at intermediate or high risk despite dual therapy with an endothelin receptor antagonist and sildenafil. Participants will be randomized to either: (1) escalation to triple therapy with the addition of a prostacyclin pathway agent, or (2) optimization of dual therapy by increasing the dose of sildenafil. The primary objective is to compare the proportion of patients who improve their risk category according to the COMPERA 2.0 four-stratum risk model within 3 to 6 months after randomization. Secondary outcomes include changes in functional status, exercise capacity, biomarkers, clinical worsening, safety, and treatment persistence
Official title: A Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label Study Comparing Triple Therapy Versus Sildenafil Dose Optimization in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Using COMPERA 2.0 Risk Stratification as the Primary Outcome
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
196
Start Date
2026-07-22
Completion Date
2028-12-31
Last Updated
2026-07-20
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Prostacyclin Pathway Agent
Addition of a prostacyclin pathway agent (inhaled iloprost or oral selexipag) to ongoing dual therapy with an endothelin receptor antagonist and sildenafil as part of therapeutic escalation to triple therapy. The specific agent will be selected according to clinical judgment and availability. Dosing will follow approved labeling and routine clinical practice.
Sildenafil Dose Optimization
Optimization of sildenafil dose within approved dosing ranges as part of dual therapy with an endothelin receptor antagonist. Dose adjustments will be performed according to clinical practice to achieve maximal tolerated and guideline-recommended dosing without addition of a new PAH pathway agent at randomization.
Locations (1)
Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo
São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil