Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism Clinical Evaluation in Atherosclerosis Add-On

There is substantial interest in preventing cardiovascular (CV) and renal disease progression in the Type 2 diabetic. Activation of the renin angiotensin aldosterone axis (RAS) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) results in pro-inflammatory effects. Further the phenomenon of aldosterone escape provides a rationale for MR antagonism in addition to an ACEI/ARB agent. Agents that target the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) cascade have shown benefit in Type 2 Diabetics although combined RAS blockade such as using ACEI+ARB or ACEI/ARB+Renin inhibition have met with failure primarily owing to adverse effects such as hypotension and renal failure/hyperkalemia requiring dialysis. It has been speculated that dual RAS blockade or use of ACEI/ARB in conjunction with MRA may potentially be beneficial if one controls hyperkalemia and/or avoid excess hypotension. As a foundation for this current proposal, the investigators have demonstrated an important role for RAAS and MR antagonism in reducing atherosclerosis and inflammation in experimental animal models and limited studies in humans. The investigators are currently testing the efficacy of Spironolactone in reducing atherosclerosis on top of ACEI/ARB in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with concomitant CKD as part of a Randomized Double-blind controlled clinical trial. Given the fact that as much as 20-40% of a diabetic patient population with CKD may have problems of hyperkalemia on spironolactone, particularly those already on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/ARB therapy, that would preclude their participation in this trial, the investigators would like to propose an open label supplemental arm to where patients who are ineligible for participation owing to baseline hyperkalemia or hyperkalemia on the dose escalation phase will be eligible to participate in the PRIMARY-Add on trial. The addition of Patiromer will enable introduction of MRA therapy at therapeutic doses and avoidance of hyperkalemia. The investigators thus propose a prospective open label trial with blinded assessment of end-points (PROBE) study which test the relative safety and efficacy of Patiromer on top of Spironolactone in T2DM on LV mass regression and occurrence of hypokalemia (Co-Primary End-points) as well as its effect on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) at 6 weeks, central aortic blood pressure at 6 weeks, atherosclerosis progression at 12 months and measures of monocyte inflammatory potential. If successful, the studies outlined in this proposal will extend the utility of Patiromer in high-risk diabetics at risk for future CV events and provide new information.