What the trial was testing
The trial enrolled 465 patients with heart failure. The study was sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was long-term safety (phase 4). Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
Sacubitril-valsartan reduced left atrial volume by 2.8 mL/m² more than enalapril in 12 weeks.
JAMA · 2019 · NCT02874794
These findings — that sacubitril-valsartan shrank the upper heart chamber more than enalapril — were published in the JAMA and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 465 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with heart failure, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
Both sacubitril-valsartan and enalapril are FDA-approved for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. This study showed sacubitril-valsartan may help the heart remodel better. Talk to your cardiologist about which medication is right for your type of heart failure.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open heart failure trials
CardioPROTECTion with Dapagliflozin in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with AnthrAcycline - PROTECTAA TRIAL
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of dapagliflozin on the incidence of cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction in patients with breast cancer receiving anthracycline treatment.
Sodium/Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors (SGLT2i) Therapy in Duchenne Cardiomyopathy
This is a pharmacokinetic study (PK Study) to better understand empagliflozin dosing in pediatric Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. Empagliflozin is currently used off-label in this population due to the mortality benefits seen in adult cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Investigators will perform PK studies in DMD patients of various ages and weights to better understand the PK profile (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and dosing to better treat Duchenne cardiomyopathy.