In a small trial, adding aliskiren to standard therapy improved biomarkers and was well tolerated, but robust safety and outcomes data are still wanting.
Therapies targeting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), and aldosterone antagonists, have clear benefits in patients with systolic heart failure. Aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor currently approved for the treatment of hypertension, may be an alternative or adjunct means of RAAS inhibition in these patients.
In this manufacturer-sponsored and administered trial, investigators randomized 302 patients with symptomatic heart failure and essential hypertension (78% male, 79% with LV systolic dysfunction) to receive aliskiren (150 mg/day) or placebo in addition to their usual stable doses of a beta-blocker plus an ACE inhibitor or ARB. Among the exclusion criteria were …
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/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)
DisclosuresConsultant/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)