enalapril and Heart-Failure--Systolic

PARADIGM-HF study observed clinical outcomes after treatment by new drug LCZ696 or enalapril in patients with systolic chronic heart failure. It was randomized double-blind trial with LCZ696 (200 mg twice a day) and enalapril (10 mg twice a day). 8442 patients were enrolled with NYHA class II or III and left ventricular ejection fiction of 40% or less. Study drugs were added to other recommended medication. The trial was prematurely terminated after median follow-up of 27 months. The primary endpoint of the study was a combination of cardiovascular mortality and the first hospitalization for heart failure. LCZ696 drug, an inhibitor of angiotensin receptor and neprilysin (Arnie), has led to a reduction in the primary composite target by 20% (p <0.001). The treatment has decreased cardiovascular mortality by 20%, p <0.001 and hospitalization for worsening heart failure by 21%, p <0.001. LCZ696 has also decreased total mortality by 16%, p <0.001. The use of LCZ696 has been accompanied by frequent symptomatic hypotension and hypotension with a decrease in systolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg, however, LCZ696 was less often associated with an increase in serum creatinine and serum potassium than enalapril. In addition, cough has occurred less frequently after LCZ696 than after enalapril. Discontinuation of therapy occurred in 746 patients (17.8%) treated with LCZ696 and in 833 patients (19.8%) treated with enalapril (19.8%) (p = 0.02). PARADIGM-HF study has also shown superiority of LCZ696 compared to ACE inhibitors in stable outpatients with chronic systolic heart failure NYHA stages II and III. Therefore, LCZ696 is more effective than ACE inhibitors (and angiotensin receptor blockers). Moreover, it is well tolerated. LCZ696 seems to replace the ACE inhibitors in mentioned patients. The authors also discuss the results of the first randomized study PARAMOUNT investigating LCZ696 efficacy in patients with chronic heart failure and good left ventricular ejection fraction.

Topics: Aged; Aminobutyrates; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Biphenyl Compounds; Chronic Disease; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Enalapril; Female; Heart Failure, Systolic; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Tetrazoles; Valsartan

The PARADIGM-HF trial (Prospective Comparison of ARNI With ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure) found a combination drug containing sacubitril (a neprilysin inhibitor) and valsartan (an angiotensin II receptor blocker) superior to enalapril (an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) in patients with systolic heart failure. Recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, sacubitril-valsartan is the first new drug in over a decade to decrease death rates in patients with systolic heart failure.

Topics: Aminobutyrates; Angioedema; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Biphenyl Compounds; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cough; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Enalapril; Female; Heart Failure, Systolic; Hospitalization; Humans; Hyperkalemia; Hypotension; Male; Middle Aged; Neprilysin; Renal Insufficiency; Tetrazoles; Valsartan

Although the focus of therapeutic intervention has been on neurohormonal pathways thought to be harmful in heart failure (HF), such as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), potentially beneficial counter-regulatory systems are also active in HF. These promote vasodilatation and natriuresis, inhibit abnormal growth, suppress the RAAS and sympathetic nervous system, and augment parasympathetic activity. The best understood of these mediators are the natriuretic peptides which are metabolized by the enzyme neprilysin. LCZ696 belongs to a new class of drugs, the angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), which both block the RAAS and augment natriuretic peptides.. Patients with chronic HF, NYHA class II-IV symptoms, an elevated plasma BNP or NT-proBNP level, and an LVEF of ≤40% were enrolled in the Prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortailty and morbidity in Heart Failure trial (PARADIGM-HF). Patients entered a single-blind enalapril run-in period (titrated to 10 mg b.i.d.), followed by an LCZ696 run-in period (100 mg titrated to 200 mg b.i.d.). A total of 8436 patients tolerating both periods were randomized 1:1 to either enalapril 10 mg b.i.d. or LCZ696 200 mg b.i.d. The primary outcome is the composite of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization, although the trial is powered to detect a 15% relative risk reduction in cardiovascular death.. PARADIGM-HF will determine the place of the ARNI LCZ696 as an alternative to enalapril in patients with systolic HF. PARADIGM-HF may change our approach to neurohormonal modulation in HF.. NCT01035255.

Topics: Aminobutyrates; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Biphenyl Compounds; Drug Combinations; Enalapril; Heart Failure, Systolic; Hospitalization; Humans; Morbidity; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Neprilysin; Peptide Fragments; Prospective Studies; Single-Blind Method; Survival Rate; Tetrazoles; Valsartan

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors improve outcomes in systolic heart failure (SHF). However, doubts linger about their effect in SHF patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).. In the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) Treatment trial, 2569 ambulatory chronic HF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35% and serum creatinine level ≤ 2.5mg/dl were randomized to receive either placebo (n=1284) or enalapril (n=1285). Of the 2502 patients with baseline serum creatinine data, 1036 had CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)).. Overall, during 35 months of median follow-up, all-cause mortality occurred in 40% (502/1252) and 35% (440/1250) of placebo and enalapril patients, respectively (hazard ratio {HR}, 0.84; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.74-0.95; p=0.007). All-cause mortality occurred in 45% and 42% of patients with CKD (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.73-1.06; p=0.164), and 36% and 31% of non-CKD patients (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.69-0.98; p=0.028) in the placebo and enalapril groups, respectively (p for interaction=0.615). Enalapril reduced cardiovascular hospitalization in those with CKD (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.66-0.90; p<0.001) and without CKD (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.70-0.91; p<0.001). Among patients in the enalapril group, serum creatinine elevation was significantly higher in those without CKD (0.09 versus 0.04 mg/dl in CKD; p=0.003) during first year of follow-up, but there was no differences in changes in systolic blood pressure (mean drop, 7 mm Hg, both) and serum potassium (mean increase, 0. /L, both).. Enalapril reduces mortality and hospitalization in SHF patients without significant heterogeneity between those with and without CKD.

Topics: Aged; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Double-Blind Method; Enalapril; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Heart Failure, Systolic; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Treatment Outcome

The long-term effect of beta-blockade on the plasma levels of natriuretic peptides BNP and its N-terminal counterpart, NT-proBNP, as risk markers in heart failure (HF) is obscure.. Stable systolic HF patients from the CARMEN study were divided in groups matching their randomised treatment allocation: Carvedilol, enalapril or carvedilol+enalapril. Changes in BNP and NT-proBNP from baseline to 6 months maintenance visit were evaluated in each treatment arm. Furthermore, the prognostic value of BNP and NT-proBNP during monotherapy with carvedilol was assessed with univariate Cox proportional hazards models using a combined endpoint of all cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalisation.. NT-proBNP and BNP were significantly reduced after six months treatment with enalapril (NT-proBNP 1,303 to 857 pg/ml (P < 0.001), BNP 119 to 85 pg/ml (P < 0.001)) or carvedilol+enalapril (NT-proBNP 1,223 to 953 pg/ml (P = 0.003), BNP 117 to 93 pg/ml (P = 0.01)). In contrast, no change was observed in the carvedilol group (NT-proBNP 907 to 1,082 pg/ml (P = 0.06), BNP 114 to 130 pg/ml (P = 0.15). The prognostic value of NT-proBNP and BNP was maintained in the carvedilol group (NT-proBNP HR 1.018 95% CI (1.005-1.032), BNP 1.171 (1.088-1.260)).. Treatment of HF patients with carvedilol alone does not reduce levels of natriuretic peptides, but treatment with enalapril does. Both BNP and NT-proBNP predict death and hospitalisation in HF patients treated with carvedilol for six months. The clinical implication of our results is that NT-proBNP and BNP can be used as risk markers of death and cardiovascular hospitalisations in systolic HF patients receiving carvedilol without ACE inhibition.

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Biomarkers; Carbazoles; Carvedilol; Chronic Disease; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Enalapril; Europe; Female; Heart Failure, Systolic; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Peptide Fragments; Propanolamines; Proportional Hazards Models; Risk Assessment; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Aminobutyrates; Biphenyl Compounds; Drug Combinations; Enalapril; Heart Failure, Systolic; Humans; Stroke Volume; Tetrazoles; Valsartan

Topics: Aminobutyrates; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Biphenyl Compounds; Drug Combinations; Early Termination of Clinical Trials; Enalapril; Heart Failure, Systolic; Humans; Prognosis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tetrazoles; Valsartan

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) represents a key therapeutic target in heart failure (HF) management. However, conventional agents that block this system induce a reflex increase in plasma renin activity (PRA), which may lead to RAAS 'escape'. Direct renin inhibitors (DRIs) have been developed that decrease PRA and thus may provide a greater RAAS blockade. Aliskiren is the first orally active DRI. Plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been observed to be reduced with aliskiren compared with placebo. The aim of the Aliskiren Trial of Minimizing OutcomeS for Patients with HEart failuRE (ATMOSPHERE) study is to evaluate the effect of both aliskiren and enalapril monotherapy and aliskiren/enalapril combination therapy on cardiovascular death and HF hospitalization in patients with chronic systolic HF, NYHA functional class II-IV symptoms, and elevated plasma levels of BNP. Methods Patients tolerant to at least 10 mg or equivalent of enalapril will undergo an open-label run-in period where they receive enalapril then aliskiren. Approximately 7000 patients tolerating this run-in period will then be randomized 1:1:1 to aliskiren monotherapy, enalapril monotherapy, or the combination. The primary endpoints of ATMOSPHERE are (i) whether the aliskiren/enalapril combination is superior to enalapril monotherapy in delaying time to first occurrence of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization and (ii) whether aliskiren monotherapy is superior or at least non-inferior to enalapril monotherapy on this endpoint. Perspective The ATMOSPHERE study will definitively determine the role of a DRI strategy additional to or as an alternative to conventional RAAS blockade in patients with chronic systolic HF.

Topics: Amides; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Antihypertensive Agents; Disease Progression; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Enalapril; Fumarates; Heart Failure, Systolic; Humans; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Renin; Renin-Angiotensin System; Research Design; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Function, Left

Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Enalapril; Heart Failure, Systolic; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Ventricular Function, Right

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Biomarkers; Carbazoles; Carvedilol; Chronic Disease; Drug Therapy, Combination; Enalapril; Heart Failure, Systolic; Humans; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Peptide Fragments; Propanolamines; Risk Assessment; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome