Prevention of heart and lung complications by using simvastatin in patients undergoing surgery for removal of food pipe
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN48095567 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN48095567 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | 2015-004424-65 |
| Protocol serial number | 15085MS-AS |
| Sponsor | Belfast Health and Social Care Trust |
| Funder | Health & Social Care Services R&D Award |
- Submission date
- 11/10/2016
- Registration date
- 11/11/2016
- Last edited
- 10/07/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Respiratory
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
One lung ventilation is an anaesthetic technique used in common surgeries like oesophagectomy, lobectomy and pneumonectomy and is associated with pulmonary (lung) complications including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cardiac (heart) complications after surgery. Heart and lung complications account for up to 50% of complications requiring admissions to Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The risk of dying is significantly increased in these patients when compared to patients who do not suffer these complications. There is also a long-term impact as these patients have physical and mental health issues. There is also a reduced rate of return to employment and an increase in healthcare costs, as the ICU is an expensive and limited resource and a bed in ICU costs up to £1500. These patients also have a higher rate of healthcare contacts after discharge. Simvastatin belongs to a group of medications that are used to reduce fat levels in the blood. Simvastatin has also been shown to reduce inflammation and cell damage. In various studies it has been shown to reduce the rates of progression of severe infection, death from sepsis, and ICU admissions. In a small study simvastatin was found to reduce inflammation in the lungs and reduce the rates of heart, lung and infective complications. Development of these complications is associated with a significantly worse outcome including increased mortality (death rate), readmission to ICU, and increased ICU and hospital stay. The aim of this study is to find out whether treatment with simvastatin for four days before surgery and up to 7 days after surgery prevents cardiac and respiratory complications in patients undergoing elective oesophagectomy, lobectomy or pneumonectomy.
Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 or over undergoing oesophagectomy, lobectomy or pneumonectomy
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to take either once daily simvastatin or placebo (dummy) tablets for 3 days before the operation, on the morning of surgery and for 7 days after. All participants are followed up for 90 days. Complications, quality of life, costs and side effects are assessed, and blood and urine samples are taken.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Simvastatin is a cheap drug and costs less than £5 for the proposed treatment. If simvastatin is proven to be beneficial, this study may improve both patient outcomes and reduce costs to the NHS.
Where is the study run from?
1. Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (UK)
2. Royal Liverpool University Hospital (UK)
3. Birmingham Heartlands Hospital (UK)
4. Leicester Royal Infirmary Hospital (UK)
5. James Cook University Hospital (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2016 to January 2021
Who is funding the study?
Health & Social Care Services R&D Award
Who is the main contact?
Dr Murali Shyamsundar
Contact information
Scientific
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Regional Intensive Care Unit
Royal Victoria Hospital
Belfast
BT12 6BA
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)289 063 9572 |
|---|---|
| murali.shyamsundar@qub.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled Phase II multi-centre trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Prevention of post-operative complications by using HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in patients undergoing oesophagectomy: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial |
| Study acronym | Prevention HARP-2 |
| Study objectives | Simvastatin 80 mg when compared to placebo will reduce cardiac and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing oesophagectomy, lobectomy or pneumonectomy. |
| Ethics approval(s) | South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee, 08/04/2016, ref: 16/SC/0152 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Cardiac and respiratory complications following oesophagectomy, lobectomy or pneumonectomy |
| Intervention | Patients will be randomised to receive either once daily simvastatin 80mg (as two 40mg tablets) or two matched placebo tablets administered enterally. Patients will self-administer the medication orally for 3 days preoperatively, on the morning of surgery and postoperatively the study drug will be administered for 7 days by the ward staff. Pre-screening visit – will look at potential patients Baseline Visit – ICF, bloods and urine, randomisation and treatment allocation Pre-admission (surgery) – telephone check for adverse events/serious adverse events Day 0 - surgery, study drug, bloods and urine Days 1–7 – bloods and urine, clinical outcome/safety assessments Days 8–28 – or until hospital discharge, clinical outcome/safety assessments Day 90 follow-up – survival status, HE assessments |
| Intervention type | Drug |
| Phase | Phase II |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Simvastatin |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Composite endpoint of the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) defined according to the Berlin definition, post-operative pulmonary complications (PPC) as defined by Melbourne group scale, and myocardial infarction as defined by ischaemic chest pain, ECG changes and a raise in plasma troponin and also by myocardial ischaemia post non-cardiac surgery (MINS) criteria during the first 7 days post-operatively. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Clinical outcomes: |
| Completion date | 01/01/2021 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 452 |
| Total final enrolment | 251 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Current inclusion criteria as of 23/06/2017: 1. Adult patients ≥18 years of age undergoing elective oesophagectomy, lobectomy or pneumonectomy 2. Female subjects must be surgically sterile, or be postmenopausal, or must agree to use effective contraception during the period of the trial and for at least 30 days after completion of treatment. A pregnancy test measured by urine HCG in females with child-bearing potential will be performed at pre-operative assessment clinic Previous inclusion criteria: 1. Adult patients ≥18 years of age undergoing elective oesophagectomy 2. Female subjects must be surgically sterile, or be postmenopausal, or must agree to use effective contraception during the period of the trial and for at least 30 days after completion of treatment. A pregnancy test measured by urine HCG in females with child-bearing potential will be performed at pre-operative assessment clinic |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Age <18 years 2. Creatinine Kinase (CK) >5 times upper limit normal range in the local laboratory 3. Known active liver disease (Child’s Pugh score > 11) or abnormal liver function tests i.e. transaminases (AST or ALT) >3 times upper limit normal range in the local laboratory 4. Renal impairment (calculated creatinine clearance less than 30mL/minute) 5. Inability to take oral medication pre-operatively 6. Subject reported lactose intolerance 7. Participation in other intervention trials within 30 days 8. Current treatment with statins 9. Known hypersensitivity to the study medication 10. Previous adverse reaction to statins 11. Concomitant use of fibrates or other lipid-lowering therapy 12. Concomitant use of itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, boceprivir, telaprevir, nefazodone, cyclosporine, danazol, amiodarone, amlodipine, verapamil or diltiazem, fusidic acid 13. Patients must be able to understand and give signed and dated informed consent indicating that they understand all the pertinent aspects of the trial |
| Date of first enrolment | 21/11/2016 |
| Date of final enrolment | 28/09/2022 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
- Northern Ireland
Study participating centres
Belfast
BT12 6BA
United Kingdom
Liverpool
L7 8XP
United Kingdom
Birmingham
B9 5SS
United Kingdom
Leicester
LE1 5WW
United Kingdom
Middlesbrough
TS4 3BW
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study will be available upon request from Murali Shyamsundar. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 08/07/2025 | 10/07/2025 | Yes | No | |
| Protocol article | 18/12/2018 | Yes | No | ||
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Protocol file | version 10.0 | 22/03/2021 | 03/05/2023 | No | No |
Additional files
- 32678 Protocol Final V10.0 22.03.2021.pdf
- Protocol file
Editorial Notes
10/07/2025: Publication reference added.
03/05/2023: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. Uploaded protocol (not peer-reviewed) as an additional file.
2. The total final enrolment was added.
3. The recruitment end date was changed from 17/01/2021 to 28/09/2022.
09/07/2020: The trial contact details have been made publicly visible.
04/01/2019: Publication reference added.
23/06/2017: The inclusion criteria were expanded from oesophagectomy to oesophagectomy, lobectomy or pneumonectomy - all other relevant fields updated accordingly.
03/01/2017: Plain English summary added.
20/12/2016: The recruitment start date has been updated from 17/10/2016 to 21/11/2016.
