Effect of Tadalafil on cardiac function and left ventricular dimensions in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: safety and cardiac MRI substudy results from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Abstract
Background: Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) was hypothesized to slow disease progression in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Tadalafil, a once-daily PDE5 inhibitor, did not slow loss of ambulation in a phase 3 placebo-controlled trial. This report details the cardiac findings from this study.
Methods: Patients with DMD (N = 331) aged 7 to 14 years on stable glucocorticoids were randomized to tadalafil 0.3 mg/kg/day, 0.6 mg/kg/day, or placebo. Ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening, and M-mode ventricular dimensions were measured on echocardiograms. 12-lead ECGs were centrally evaluated for heart rate and intervals, and qualitative diagnoses. Vital signs and unsolicited adverse events were collected throughout the study. Cardiac MRI (CMR) was collected in a subset of 27 patients. Z-scores for ventricular dimensions and volumes were calculated based on published age-normative reference values. Treatment differences for change in continuous ECG parameters and vital signs were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Echocardiogram and CMR parameters were analyzed with an ANCOVA model.
Results: Tadalafil had no adverse effects on echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) EF or fractional shortening, ECG findings, or vital signs. Mean diastolic LV internal dimension (LVIDd) was increased in the tadalafil 0.6 mg/kg group versus placebo at Week 24 (+ 0.13 cm, p =.019) and Week 48 (+ 0.18 cm, p =.008), with a similar pattern observed for LV systolic dimensions…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 331 participants or records.
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