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The COVID-RASi Trial (COVID-19)

Evaluation of the Potential Benefit of Renin-angiotensin System Inhibitors (RASi, ACEi/ARB) in High-risk Patients With COVID-19. The COVID-RASi Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04591210
Enrollment
372
Registered
2020-10-19
Start date
2021-01-27
Completion date
2024-12-30
Last updated
2026-01-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

COVID-19, Cardiovascular Diseases

Keywords

cardiovascular risk factors, corona virus, COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, ACEi, Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, RASi, Angiotensin receptor blockers, ARB

Brief summary

The COVID-RASi study is an international randomized clinical trial that will evaluate the potential benefit of angiotensin modulators on clinical outcomes, in COVID-19 patients. The purpose of this study is to determine if renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi), with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), has a beneficial effect in patients with COVID-19 infections, by reducing ICU admission, ventilator requirement or death. We would also like to determine if there are differences between ACEi and ARB therapeutic treatments. With the increasing potential of long COVID symptoms, at the 1 year follow up, a primary endpoint will be the quality of life of study participants, as assessed by ongoing symptoms and/or the standardized questionnaires.

Detailed description

The goal is to determine if RASi with ACEi or ARB, has a beneficial effect in patients with COVID-19 infections, by reducing hospitalizations, ICU admission, ventilator requirement or death. This is a multi-centre study, conducted in major centres treating COVID-19 patients in-hospital and in various outpatient settings. Patients admitted to hospital or outpatients that test positive for COVID-19 and meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria will be eligible to participate in this study. All study participants will not be on RASi (ACEi/ARB) treatment at the time of consent. Participants will be randomized to initiation of ACEi vs ARB treatment vs no RASi treatment as part of care for COVID-19 in a 1:1:1 ratio. The patient will be followed by their physician according to usual clinical care. Sites will complete research-related follow-ups at 24 hours, 7 and 28 days to asssess patient's clinical status, side effects and the achievement of clinical endpoints by telephone interviews. Phone call follow ups will also be conducted at 6 months and 12 months after enrollment in the study.

Interventions

The study recommends physicians to select an ACEi with proven benefit in cardiovascular diseases such as perindopril, ramipril or enalapril. Lab values will be obtained during baseline. The patient will be followed by the physician clinically, with recommended laboratory testing in one week, including renal function, potassium assessment, and dose adjustments as appropriate.

The study recommends physicians to select evidence-based ARBs such as candesartan or valsartan or losartan. Lab values will be obtained during baseline. The patient will be followed by the physician clinically, with recommended laboratory testing in one week, and dose adjustments as appropriate.

Sponsors

Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patient with COVID-19 diagnosis with laboratory confirmation within the last 30 days AND * Age 40 years old or greater if outpatient OR age 18 years old or greater if inpatient (admitted to the hospital) at time of recruitment

Exclusion criteria

* Contraindication to ARB or ACEi, including severe aortic stenosis and angioedema * Patients who are currently on active treatment with ARB/ACEi * Known bilateral renal artery stenosis * Systolic BP ≤90 mmHg * eGFR\<30 ml/min, if not receiving dialysis treatment * K\>5.5 mmol/L on screening laboratory testing * Recent history of dizziness, vertigo, related to hypotension or orthostatic hypotension, that can lead to contraindication to ACEI/ARBs * Acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring invasive ventilation

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Quality of life of study participants1 yearAssessed by ongoing symptoms and standardized questionnaires, scale to assess overall health 1-100, 100 is the best, higher score means better outcome
Death28 daysWithin first 28 days post randomization
Mechanical ventilation28 daysWithin first 28 days post randomization
ICU admission28 daysWithin first 28 days post randomization
Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE)28 daysWithin first 28 days post randomization
Hospitalizations28 daysWithin first 28 days post randomization

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Percent of patients requiring ventilation1 year
Days alive and out of hospital30 days
Cardiovascular mortality1 year
All cause hospitalization1 year
Percent of patients require intensive care1 year
Percent of patients requiring dialysis1 year

Countries

Brazil, Canada, Mexico

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORPeter Liu, MD

Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026