Efficacy of Candesartan on Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Subjects With Chronic Heart Failure — CANDHEART  

Heart Failure Clinical Trial

Official title: Effects Of Candesartan Cilexetil vs Standard Therapy on Serum Levels of Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Patients Suffering From Chronic Heart Failure With Depressed and Preserved Systolic Function

Status Terminated

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of Candesartan, once daily (QD), added to ongoing chronic heart disease therapy in measuring brain natriuretic peptide in patients with chronic heart failure.

Clinical Trial Description

Chronic heart failure is a significant and increasing cause of morbidity and mortality, accounting for a current yearly prevalence of 5 million and a 5-year survival near 50% in the US. In addition, chronic heart failure is still the fourth cause of hospitalization in the US and in Western countries, and it is the leading cause of hospitalization in patients aged over 65.

Newer pharmacological agents and non pharmacological therapeutic tools have been increasingly introduced to improve the outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure. In the past two decades, several large randomized controlled clinical trials have revolutionized the management and prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure. The recommended drug treatment for decreasing mortality and morbidity in chronic heart failure is based on angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitors, beta-blockers and aldosterone antagonists (limited to most severe patients), as detailed in the latest European Society of Cardiology guidelines. The use of digitalis and diuretics still has a role.

Orally active angiotensin II type I receptor blockers represent a new class of agents that offer an alternative method of the renin-angiotensin system blockade. Their effects on hemodynamics, neuroendocrine activity and exercise tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure can be considered as similar to that exhibited by angiotensin converting enzyme -inhibitors, but it still remains to be fully elucidated whether angiotensin II type I receptor blockers can offer advantage in efficacy, other than in safety, compared to angiotensin converting enzyme -inhibitors.

Brain Natriuretic Peptide is strongly related to the severity and to the increase of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic heart failure. Recent data show that angiotensin II receptor blockers can reduce the levels of Brain Natriuretic Peptide, though no data is available in patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function.

Candesartan is a selective angiotensin II type I receptor blocker, and this study will evaluate the effects of the maximum tolerated dose of Candesartan added to ongoing standard therapy while measuring changes in brain natriuretic peptide biomarker used in the assessment of chronic heart failure. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Heart Failure

• NCT number: NCT00843154
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Takeda
• Status: Terminated
• Phase: Phase 3
• Start date: December 2005
• Completion date: July 2008