A randomized trial of once-daily fluticasone furoate/vilanterol or vilanterol versus placebo to determine effects on arterial stiffness in COPD

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Elevated arterial stiffness, measured by aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), is a cardiovascular risk surrogate and is potentially modifiable by inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting beta2-agonist combinations in patients with COPD. Materials and methods: The effects of once-daily inhaled fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (FF/VI) 100/25 mu g, VI 25 mu g, versus placebo on arterial stiffness in patients with COPD and baseline aPWV >= 11.0 m/s were investigated in a 24-week, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, stratified (by COPD exacerbation history), parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial. Eligible patients were >40 years old, with >10 pack-year smoking history, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity <= 0.70, and post-bronchodilator FEV1 <= 70% of predicted. Patients with a major cardiovascular event in the previous 6 months/current severe heart failure/uncontrolled hypertension were excluded. Primary endpoint is change from baseline in aPWV after 24 weeks of treatment. Safety analyses included adverse events (AEs). Results: The intent-to-treat population included 430 patients: FF/VI (n=135), VI (n=154), and placebo (n=141). Patients were predominantly male (79%) and Asian or White (each 48%), with a mean age of 68.5 years (standard deviation [SD]=7.9), percentage predicted post-bronchodilator FEV1 50.1% (SD=13.3), and aPWV 13.26 m/s (SD=2.22) at screening. At 24 weeks, mean (standard error [SE]) changes from baseline in aPWV were -1.75 m/s (SE=0.26, FF/VI), -1.95 m/s (SE=0.24, VI), and -1.97 m/s (SE=0.28, placebo). AEs occurred in 57% (FF/VI), 51% (VI), and 41% (placebo) of patients. Conclusion: No differences were observed in aPWV-adjusted mean change from baseline for FF/VI 100/25 mu g, compared with placebo.