Automated Abdominal Binder for Orthostatic Hypotension

This is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel group study to compare the efficacy of the automated abdominal binder (inflated to 40 mm Hg) versus sham treatment (abdominal binder inflated to 5 mm Hg) in improving orthostatic tolerance in patients with primary autonomic failure disabled by orthostatic hypotension.

Potential participants will be admitted to the Vanderbilt Clinical Research Center for evaluation of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible patients will be randomized to the active or sham binder group. Patients will then be asked to participate on three separate study days, two days apart: one day for baseline measurements (placebo pill t.i.d), one day for treatment with 10 mg midodrine t.i.d (standard of care), and one day for treatment with active or sham binder combined with placebo pill t.i.d. The order of the study days will be randomized. On each study day, blood pressure and heart rate will be measured while sitting, lying down, standing and walking during the Morning Orthostatic Trial, and posture and walking tests.

Inclusion criteria

• Male and female subjects, age 40-80 years.
• Possible or probable Multiple Systems Atrophy and Pure Autonomic Failure as defined by Consensus Criteria.
• Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension defined as a ≥30-mm Hg decrease in SBP within 3 minutes of standing associated with impaired autonomic reflexes determined by autonomic testing in the absence of other identifiable causes, and
• Moderate to severe orthostatic symptoms, defined as an Orthostatic Hypotension Symptom Assessment (OHSA) composite score ≥4 (self-rating Likert scale of 0 to 10, with 0 reflecting absence of symptoms), within the first 10 minutes of the screening orthostatic stress test, and that have an impact in quality of life, as defined by the patient.
• Able and willing to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy.
• Systemic illnesses known to produce autonomic neuropathy, including but not limited to diabetes mellitus, amyloidosis, monoclonal gammopathies, and autoimmune neuropathies.
• History of known aortic aneurisms, thoracic, abdominal or pelvic surgery in the past 6 months; symptomatic abdominal or inguinal hernias; severe gastroesophageal reflux; recent fractures or fissures of ribs, thoracic or lumbar spine; medical devices implanted on the abdominal wall or abdomen that would interfere with the binder; known abdominal or pelvic tumors, cysts or enlarged spleen; intolerance to any increase in intraabdominal pressure.
• Pre-existing sustained supine hypertension ≥180/110.
• Bedridden patients or those who are unable to stand due to motor impairment or severe orthostatic hypotension.
• Clinically unstable coronary artery disease (recurrent angina despite medical therapy), or major cardiovascular or neurological event in the past 6 months (myocardial infarction, stroke or transient ischemic attacks).
• Concomitant use of anticoagulants