A Randomized Controlled Trial of Sertraline in Paroxysmal Arterial Hypertension

Summary

There is currently no established treatment for paroxysmal hypertension, but selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors showed good effect in previous reports. This double-blind, placebo controlled, prospective multicenter clinical trial will assess the efficacy of sertraline on cessation or reduction of symptoms of paroxysmal arterial hypertension. 136 patients with documented hypertensive paroxysms with abrupt elevations of blood pressure and distressful physical symptoms will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive sertraline, 50 mg daily, or matching placebo as an add-on to their chronic medication. Effect of the treatment on patient symptoms, office and ambulatory blood pressure and side effects will be evaluated after 3 months. If proven effective, sertraline might become a standard treatment for this condition.

Timeline

Start

2017-11

Primary completion

2018-06

Completion

2018-12

Publications

• Background Mann SJ. Severe paroxysmal hypertension (pseudopheochromocytoma): understanding the cause and treatment. Arch Intern Med. 1999 Apr 12;159(7):670-4. doi: 10.1001/archinte.159.7.670.
• Background Eisenhofer G, Sharabi Y, Pacak K. Unexplained symptomatic paroxysmal hypertension in pseudopheochromocytoma: a stress response disorder? Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2008 Dec;1148:469-78. doi: 10.1196/annals.1410.019.
• Background Pickering TG, Clemow L. Paroxysmal hypertension: the role of stress and psychological factors. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2008 Jul;10(7):575-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-7176.2008.07844.x.
• Background Mann SJ. Severe paroxysmal hypertension (pseudopheochromocytoma). Curr Hypertens Rep. 2008 Feb;10(1):12-8. doi: 10.1007/s11906-008-0005-2.

Drugs

Indications