Cardiac safety of tiotropium in patients with COPD: a combined analysis of Holter-ECG data from four randomised clinical trials

J M Hohlfeld, A Furtwaengler, M Könen-Bergmann, G Wallenstein, B Walter, E D Bateman, J M Hohlfeld, A Furtwaengler, M Könen-Bergmann, G Wallenstein, B Walter, E D Bateman

Abstract

Background: Tiotropium is generally well tolerated; however, there has been debate whether antimuscarinics, particularly tiotropium administered via Respimat(®) Soft Mist(™) Inhaler, may induce cardiac arrhythmias in a vulnerable subpopulation with cardiovascular comorbidity. The aim of this study was to provide evidence of the cardiac safety of tiotropium maintenance therapy.

Methods: Combined analysis of Holter electrocardiogram (ECG) data from clinical trials of tiotropium in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Trials in the Boehringer Ingelheim clinical trials database conducted between 2003 and 2012, involving tiotropium HandiHaler(®) 18 μg and/or tiotropium Respimat(®) (1.25-, 2.5-, 5.0- and 10-μg doses) were reviewed. All trials involving Holter-ECG monitoring during this period were included in the analysis. Men and women aged ≥ 40 years with a smoking history of ≥ 10 pack-years, and a clinical diagnosis of COPD were included. Holter ECGs were evaluated for heart rate (HR), supraventricular premature beats (SVPBs), ventricular premature beats (VPBs) and pauses. Quantitative and categorical end-points were derived for each of the Holter monitoring days.

Results: Four trials (n = 727) were included in the analysis. Respimat(®) (1.25-10 μg) or HandiHaler(®) (18 μg) was not associated with changes in HR, SVPBs, VPBs and pauses compared with placebo or the pretreatment baseline period. In terms of cardiac arrhythmia end-points, there was no evidence for an exposure-effect relationship.

Conclusions: In this analysis, tiotropium maintenance therapy administered using Respimat(®) (1.25-10 μg) or HandiHaler(®) (18 μg) once daily for periods of up to 48 weeks was well tolerated with no increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia in patients with COPD.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00168831 NCT00168844 NCT00239460 NCT01222533.

© 2014 The Authors. International Journal of Clinical Practice Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

References

    1. Boehringer Ingelheim. 2013. Innovative solutions to help millions breathe easier (accessed 25 October 2013)
    1. Boehringer Ingelheim. 2013. Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC): Spiriva 18 microgram inhalation powder, hard capsule. EMC, (accessed 25 October 2013)
    1. Boehringer Ingelheim. 2013. Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC): Spiriva Respimat 2.5 microgram solution for inhalation. EMC, (accessed 19 July 2013)
    1. van Noord JA, Cornelissen PJ, Aumann JL, Platz J, Mueller A, Fogarty C. The efficacy of tiotropium administered via Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler or HandiHaler in COPD patients. Respir Med. 2009;103:22–9.
    1. Bateman E, Singh D, Smith D, et al. Efficacy and safety of tiotropium Respimat SMI in COPD in two 1-year randomized studies. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2010;5:197–208.
    1. Bateman ED, Tashkin D, Siafakas N, et al. A one-year trial of tiotropium Respimat plus usual therapy in COPD patients. Respir Med. 2010;104:1460–72.
    1. Cooper CB, Celli BR, Jardim JR, et al. Treadmill endurance during 2-year treatment with tiotropium in patients with COPD: a randomized trial. Chest. 2013;144:490–7.
    1. Tashkin DP, Celli B, Senn S, et al. A 4-year trial of tiotropium in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:1543–54.
    1. Vogelmeier C, Hederer B, Glaab T, et al. Tiotropium versus salmeterol for the prevention of exacerbations of COPD. N Engl J Med. 2011;364:1093–103.
    1. Wise RA, Anzueto A, Cotton D, et al. Tiotropium respimat inhaler and the risk of death in COPD. N Engl J Med. 2013;369:1491–501.
    1. Ichinose M, Fujimoto T, Fukuchi Y. Tiotropium 5microg via Respimat and 18microg via HandiHaler; efficacy and safety in Japanese COPD patients. Respir Med. 2010;104:228–36.
    1. Hohlfeld JM, Sharma A, van Noord JA, et al. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tiotropium solution and tiotropium powder in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Clin Pharmacol. 2014;54:405–14.
    1. Karner C, Chong J, Poole P. Tiotropium versus placebo for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;7:CD009285.
    1. Celli B, Decramer M, Leimer I, Vogel U, Kesten S, Tashkin DP. Cardiovascular safety of tiotropium in patients with COPD. Chest. 2010;137:20–30.
    1. Singh S, Loke YK, Enright P, Furberg CD. Pro-arrhythmic and pro-ischaemic effects of inhaled anticholinergic medications. Thorax. 2013;68:114–6.
    1. Dong YH, Lin HH, Shau WY, Wu YC, Chang CH, Lai MS. Comparative safety of inhaled medications in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review and mixed treatment comparison meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Thorax. 2013;68:48–56.
    1. Singh S, Loke YK, Enright PL, Furberg CD. Mortality associated with tiotropium mist inhaler in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2011;342:d3215.
    1. Verhamme KM, Afonso A, Romio S, Stricker BC, Brusselle GG, Sturkenboom MC. Use of tiotropium Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler versus HandiHaler and mortality in patients with COPD. Eur Respir J. 2013;42:606–15.
    1. Barr RG, Bourbeau J, Camargo CA, Ram FS. Tiotropium for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis. Thorax. 2006;61:854–62.
    1. Kesten S, Leimer I, Jara M. Risk of major adverse cardiovascular events with inhaled anticholinergics in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. JAMA. 2009;301:1224–6.
    1. Rodrigo GJ, Castro-Rodriguez JA, Nannini LJ, Plaza Moral V, Schiavi EA. Tiotropium and risk for fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review with meta-analysis. Respir Med. 2009;103:1421–9.
    1. Covelli H, Bhattacharya S, Cassino C, Conoscenti C, Kesten S. Absence of electrocardiographic findings and improved function with once-daily tiotropium in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pharmacotherapy. 2005;25:1708–18.

Source: PubMed

3
Abonner