title: The potential role of valsartan + AHU377 ( LCZ696 ) in the treatment of heart failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heart failure remains a syndrome with a very high mortality rate and a poor quality of life. For patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), no drugs have shown to improve mortality and morbidity, and therefore novel drugs are highly needed. LCZ696 , a first in class angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi), might be an interesting novel drug for the treatment of heart failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Previous studies have shown promising effects of a combination drug with a neutral endopeptidase and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (omapatrilat) for the treatment of patients with heart failure. However, the occurrence of angioedema prevented the drug from further development. The majority of this paper will discuss the metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical effects, and safety of LCZ696, with a particular focus on heart failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LCZ696 is superior to valsartan alone in reducing blood pressure. Preliminary results from a Phase II trial showed that LCZ696 reduced NT-proBNP to a greater extent than valsartan alone, and in addition LCZ696 had beneficial effects on symptoms. With these promising first results, the results of ongoing further studies in heart failure are eagerly awaited.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Cardiology, Groningen, The Netherlands. a.a.voors@umcg.nl
authors.forename: Adriaan A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Voors
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dorhout
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van der Meer
mesh_terms: D000613:Aminobutyrates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000818:Animals; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000068756:Valsartan
chemical_list: D000613:Aminobutyrates; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000068756:Valsartan; D015260:Neprilysin; D014633:Valine; C549068:sacubitril and valsartan sodium hydrate drug combination