Comparison of the dual receptor endothelin antagonist enrasentan with enalapril in asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of the dual endothelin A/B receptor antagonist enrasentan with enalapril on left ventricular (LV) remodelling.


METHODS
Multicentre, randomised, double blind, parallel group study of 72 asymptomatic patients with LV dysfunction. Patients received enrasentan (60-90 mg/day) or enalapril (10-20 mg/day). The primary end point was the change in LV end diastolic volume index (EDVI) after six months' treatment.


RESULTS
LV EDVI increased with enrasentan but decreased with enalapril (3.9 (1.8) v -3.4 (1.4) ml/m2, p = 0.001). Enrasentan increased resting cardiac index compared with enalapril (0.11 (0.07) v -0.10 (0.07) l/m2, p = 0.04), as well as LV mass index (0.67 (1.6) v -3.6 (1.6) g/m2, p = 0.04). Other variables were comparable between groups. Enalapril lowered brain natriuretic peptide more than enrasentan (-19.3 (9.4) v -5.8 (6.9) pg/ml, p = 0.005). Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) (p = 0.02) increased more with enrasentan than with enalapril. Enrasentan was associated with more serious adverse events compared with enalapril (six (16.7%) patients v one (2.8%), p = 0.02); the rate of progression of heart failure did not differ.


CONCLUSIONS
In asymptomatic patients with LV dysfunction, LV EDVI increased over six months with enrasentan compared with enalapril treatment, with adverse neurohormonal effects. This suggests that enrasentan at a dose of 60-90 mg/day over six months causes adverse ventricular remodelling despite an increase in the resting cardiac index.
Prasad
S K
SK
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK. s.prasad@rbh.nthames.nhs.uk
Dargie
H J
HJ
Smith
G C
GC
Barlow
M M
MM
Grothues
F
F
Groenning
B A
BA
Cleland
J G F
JG
Pennell
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D004656:Enalapril / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D007189:Indans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D004656:Enalapril; C098288:enrasentan