No Clinical Benefit for Tezosentan in Patients with Acute Heart Failure

In the VERITAS trials, improvements in some hemodynamic measures did not translate into improvements in clinical outcomes.

Although evidence for the effectiveness of current treatments for chronic systolic heart failure is relatively strong, recent trials have failed to establish the effectiveness of several treatments for acute decompensated heart failure. Tezosentan — a short-acting, intravenous, endothelin A-type and B-type receptor antagonist — was thought to have potential for treating acute heart failure, based on evidence that it reduces systemic vascular resistance and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures, as well as on the association between elevated endothelin levels and adverse outcomes.

Investigators for the Value of Endothelin Receptor Inhibition with Tezosentan in Acute Heart Failure Studies (VERITAS-1 and -2), two identical, manufacturer-sponsored…

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)