Istaroxime reduces pulmo congestion AHF

Lausanne, Switzerland-based drugmaker Debiopharm and Italy's sigma-tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite SpA presented positive efficacy results from the Phase IIa Horizon-HF study of their co-developed drug Debio 0614 (istaroxime) in acute heart failure.

The agent was able to significantly reduce pulmonary congestion in patients admitted with worsening heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction, according to findings presented at the 57th American College of Cardiology annual meeting, held in Chicago. The results of the study demonstrated that, in patients with decompensated heart failure, Debio 0614 improves hemodynamics and diastolic function, without adversely affecting neurohormones or renal function.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, 120 patients were admitted with worsening heart failure, with a left ventricular ejection fraction below 35% and a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure above 20mmHg.