Angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors in Hemodialysis (ARCADIA)
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00985322 |
Recruitment Status
:
Completed
First Posted
: September 28, 2009
Last Update Posted
: June 1, 2016
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Background: Angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have a specific cardioprotective effect and, compared to treatment not directly interfering with the renin-angiotensin-system (RAS), significantly reduce cardiovascular (CV) mortality and morbidity in subjects with normal renal function.
Despite CV events are the leading cause of death in these patients, no adequately powered trial so far evaluated the specific cardioprotective effect of ACE inhibitors in this population.
Objectives: This prospective, randomized, open label, blinded end point (PROBE) trial is primarily aimed at evaluating whether, at comparable blood pressure (BP) control, ACE inhibitor as compared to non-RAS inhibitor therapy significantly reduces the incidence of a composite end point of CV death (including sudden death) and non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke in 624 patients with arterial hypertension (pre-dialysis systolic/diastolic BP >140/90 mmHg or post-dialysis systolic/diastolic BP >130/80 mmHg or antihypertensive therapy) and/or echocardiography evidence of LVH (cardiac mass index >130 g/m2 for men and 100 g/m2 for women) who are on dialysis therapy since at least six months. Secondarily, the study will compare the incidence of single components of the primary outcome, new onset paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation, thrombosis of the artero-venous fistula, new onset, progression or regression of LVH, changes in components of the metabolic syndrome, the safety profile of the two treatment regimens and their cost/effectiveness.
Methods: After 1 month wash-out period from previous RAS inhibitor therapy and a baseline evaluation of main clinical and laboratory parameters, patients will be randomized on a 1:1 basis to 2-year treatment with an ACE inhibitor or a BP lowering regiment not including RAS inhibitors. A balanced distribution according to centre, number of dialysis sessions per week (2 or 3), presence of diabetes (YES/NO), arterial hypertension (YES/NO), LVH (YES/NO) will be achieved by the minimization method. Treatment will be adjusted to achieve and maintain a target BP <140/90 mmHg (pre-dialysis) and a target BP <130/80 mmHg (post-dialysis) in both groups.
Expected results: ACE inhibitor compared to non-RAS inhibitor therapy is expected to reduce more effectively fatal and non-fatal CV events, prevent or limit progression or induce regression of LVH, improve some components of the metabolic syndrome, and reduce treatment costs for cardiovascular complications. These findings might help achieving more effective cardioprotection in people on chronic dialysis at lower costs.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Hypertension | Drug: ACE inhibitor Ramipril Drug: non-RAS inhibitor antihypertensive therapy | Phase 3 |

Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 269 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | A Prospective, Randomized, Open Label, Blinded End-point (Probe) Trial to Evaluate Whether, at Comparable Blood Pressure Control, ACE Inhibitor Therapy More Effectively Than Non RAS Inhibitor Therapy Reduces CArdiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Chronic DIAlysis Patients With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and/or Arterial Hypertension (ARCADIA Study) |
Study Start Date : | May 2009 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | April 2016 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | April 2016 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: ACE inhibitor Ramipril |
Drug: ACE inhibitor Ramipril
The ACE inhibitor (Ramipril) will be started at 1.25 mg/day and will be up-titrated to 2.5 mg/day, to 5 mg/day, and then to 10 mg/day according to BP control and tolerability.
|
Active Comparator: non-RAS inhibitor antihypertensive therapy |
Drug: non-RAS inhibitor antihypertensive therapy
Blood Pressure lowering regimen not including RAS inhibitors
|
- The main outcome variable will be a combined end-point of cardiovascular death (including sudden death and cardiac arrest resuscitation) and myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke. [ Time Frame: Baseline, 1st and 2nd year ]
- Single components of combined endpoint,myocardial or peripheral revascularizations,new onset paroxysmal,persistent or permanent or recurrence of atrial fibrillation,hospitalizations for chronic heart failure,and thrombosis of artero-venous fistula [ Time Frame: Baseline, 1st and 2nd year ]

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 80 Years (Adult, Senior) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion criteria:
- Men and women >18 years of age who are on chronic renal replacement treatment since at least 6 months with two or three haemodialysis sessions per week.
- Hypertension (pre-dialysis systolic and/or diastolic BP >140/90 mmHg or post-dialysis systolic and/or diastolic BP >130/80 mmHg or ongoing antihypertensive therapy).
and/or
- LVH defined by a cardiac mass index >130 g/m2 for men and 100 g/m2 for women (17) within three months of enrolment.
- Written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria:
- Specific indication (such as heart failure) or contraindication (such as hypersensitivity) to ACE inhibitor therapy.
- Any concomitant medication with ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists
- Hyperkalemia (serum potassium >6 mEq/L) despite optimal control of metabolic acidosis and blood glucose (in diabetics) in patient with less then three dialysis sessions per week.
- Symptomatic chronic or intradialytic hypotension.
- Arrhythmias that in the Investigator judgement might be worsened by hyperkalemia (such as sinus bradycardia, delayed atrio-ventricular conduction, atrio-ventricular blocks).
- CV events (stroke, acute myocardial infarction or other acute coronary syndromes) over the last three months.
- Uncontrolled hyper- or hypo-thyroidism.
- Active systemic disease, malignancies and any clinical condition associated with a life-expectancy of less than 2 years.
- Drug or alcohol abuse, psychiatric disorders and inability to understand the potential risks or benefits of the study.
- Pregnancy, lactation or child bearing potential and ineffective contraception.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00985322
Italy | |
Policlinico San Pietro | |
Ponte San Pietro, Bergamo, Italy | |
Ospedale "Treviglio-Caravaggio" | |
Treviglio, Bergamo, Italy | |
Hospital of Montichiari | |
Montichiari, Brescia, Italy | |
Presidio Ospedaliero Acireale | |
Acireale, Catania, Italy | |
Hospital "Morgagni-Pierantoni" | |
Forlì, Forlì Cesena, Italy | |
A.O. Desio e Vimercate | |
Desio, MB, Italy | |
Ospedale "Caduti Bollatesi" | |
Bollate, Milano, Italy | |
Hospital of Cernusco sul Naviglio | |
Cernusco sul Naviglio, Milano, Italy | |
Hospital "Bassini" | |
Cinisello Balsamo, Milano, Italy | |
A.O. Ospedale Civile di Legnano | |
Legnano, Milano, Italy | |
A.O. della Provincia di Lodi | |
Lodi, Milano, Italy | |
Presidio Ospedaliero di Magenta | |
Magenta, Milano, Italy | |
IRCCS "Humanitas" | |
Rozzano, Milano, Italy | |
IRCCS Multimedia | |
Sesto San Giovanni, Milano, Italy | |
Fondazione San Raffaele Monte Tabor | |
Milan, MI, Italy | |
Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio | |
Agrigento, Italy | |
Cliniche Humanitas Gavazzeni | |
Bergamo, Italy | |
Hospital "Ospedali Riuniti " | |
Bergamo, Italy | |
Hospital "Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi" | |
Bologna, Italy | |
A.O. Giuseppe Brotzu | |
Cagliari, Italy | |
ASL 8 - S.C. Territoriale di Nefrologia e Dialisi | |
Cagliari, Italy | |
A.O. S. Croce e Carle, Cuneo | |
Cuneo, Italy | |
Hospital "San Paolo" | |
Milano, Italy | |
Hospital "San Gerardo" | |
Monza, Italy | |
Hospital "Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Di Parma" | |
Parma, Italy | |
Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova | |
Reggio Emilia, Italy | |
Hospital "Degli Infermi" | |
Rimini, Italy | |
A.O. Umberto I | |
Siracusa, Italy | |
P.O. G. Mazzini | |
Teramo, Italy |
Study Director: | Piero Ruggenenti, MD | Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research |
Responsible Party: | Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00985322 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
ARCADIA 2008-003529-17 ( EudraCT Number ) |
First Posted: | September 28, 2009 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | June 1, 2016 |
Last Verified: | May 2016 |
Keywords provided by Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research:
Hemodialysis |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Hypertension Hypertrophy Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular Vascular Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Cardiomegaly |
Heart Diseases Antihypertensive Agents Ramipril Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Protease Inhibitors Enzyme Inhibitors Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action |