A double-blind, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled study examining the effect of cross-linked polyelectrolyte in heart failure patients with chronic kidney disease

This double-blind, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled investigation evaluated the effects of cross-linked polyelectrolyte (CLP) on serum potassium and measures of congestion in patients with heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The primary endpoint was change in serum potassium over time. Exploratory endpoints included: weight, physician and patient assessment of exertional dyspnoea, effect on N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, 6 min walk test (6MWT), and quality of life by Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Serum potassium was similar in CLP (n 59) and placebo (n 52) groups throughout the 8-week study. Weight loss was greater in the CLP than in the placebo group at Weeks 1 (P 0.014) and 2 (P 0.004), and this trend continued until the end of the study. After 8 weeks, by physician assessment, the percentage of patients experiencing marked or disabling dyspnoea tended to be lower in the CLP than in the placebo group (7.3 vs. 23.9, P 0.128). Fewer patients in the CLP than in the placebo group had NT-proBNP levels 1000 pg/mL at Week 4 (P 0.039) and Week 8 (P 0.065). The proportion of patients improving by at least one NYHA functional class over the study was higher in the CLP than in the placebo group (48.8 vs. 17.4; P 0.002). Effects on 6MWT at Week 8 (p 0.072) and quality of life (overall KCCQ score) at Week 4 (p 0.005) and 8 (P 0.062) all favoured the CLP cohort. Four treatment-unrelated deaths occurred in the CLP group and none in the placebo group (P 0.056). In advanced, symptomatic HF with CKD, CLP is associated with beneficial clinical effects without significant serum potassium changes. Trial registration: NCT01265524.