New drugs for the treatment of heart failure

Abstract

Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor, Entresto® (Novartis), a combination of sacubitril and valsartan, and funny channel inhibitor of the sinoatrial node, Corlanor® (Amgen), are two new drugs that have been Food and Drug Association-approved for treatment of symptomatic heart failure patients. Their mechanisms of action differ from each other and from the heart failure drugs available prior to their approval. Reduction in mortality is the hallmark of Entresto, while reduction in hospitalizations was the common denominator of both Entresto and Corlanor. These drugs are generally well tolerated and are widely used by heart failure cardiologists. Another promising agent, omecamtiv mecarbil, a myosin activator, is currently under trials, while RLX030, a relaxin receptor agonist, did not meet primary endpoints in a study.