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Persistently high hospitalization rates for acute heart failure (HF) have not given rise to effective new treatment strategies — although certainly not for lack of effort (JW Cardiol Jul 6 2011, Nov 14 2007, and Apr 4 2007). Serelaxin, a recombinant vasoactive peptide, was recently the subject of an intriguing phase 2 study (JW Cardiol Apr 1 2009). Now, the RELAX-AHF investigators present results of a manufacturer-sponsored, double-blinded study in 1161 patients with acute HF (mean age, 72; 55% with at least moderate left ventricular systolic dysfunction). All participants had dyspnea, radiographic pulmonary edema, elevated N-terminal-pro–B-type natriuretic peptide levels, and mild or moderate renal dysfunction. Exclusion criteria included …