Heart Research
The first clinically available oral direct renin inhibitor shows promise in heart fail
Although primarily a safety and tolerability study, a variety of "efficacy" measurements were made. The first three of these were to study the effect of aliskiren, compared to placebo, on N terminal pro BNP, BNP and aldosterone. Compared to placebo, aliskiren reduced plasma NT-pro BNP by 25 (95%CI 6-39)%, p=0.0106; plasma BNP by 25 (5-41)%, p=0.0160 and urinary aldosterone by 21(4-34)%, p=0.0150. There was also a favourable change in a Doppler-echocardiographic measure of left ventricular filling pressure. Aliskiren was well tolerated and there was no significant excess of hypotension or renal dysfunction.
In summary, this first sizeable, placebo-controlled, trial with aliskiren, the lead agent in the new class of orally active DRIs showed favourable neurohumoral and other effects in otherwise optimally treated patients with heart failure. These promising initial findings support further evaluation of aliskiren as a possible future treatment for heart failure.
Notes to editors:
This study was presented at the ESC Congress 2007 in Vienna.
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC):
The ESC represents nearly 53,000 cardiology professionals across
Europe and the Mediterranean. Its mission is to reduce the burden
of cardiovascular disease in Europe.
The ESC achieves this through a variety of scientific and educational activities including the coordination of: clinical practice guidelines, education courses and initiatives, pan-European surveys on specific disease areas and the ESC Annual Congress, the largest medical meeting in Europe. The ESC also works closely with the European Commission and WHO to improve health policy in the EU.
The ESC comprises 3 Councils, 5 Associations, 19 Working Groups, 50 National Cardiac Societies and an ESC Fellowship Community (Fellow, FESC; Nurse Fellow, NFESC). For more information on ESC Initiatives, Congresses and Constituent Bodies see www.escardio.org.
European Society of Cardiology, The European Heart House 2035 Route des Colles, B.P. 179 - Les Templiers, Sophia Antipolis F-06903 France
About the Author(s)
John McMurray
British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Scotland
Comments
Be the first to comment on this!
Personal Subscriber? Sign In
Note: Please enter a display name. Your email address will not be publically displayed