Atlanta (Feb. 18, 2020) – Piedmont Heart Institute was named a Top Research Site by the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) Research Network for its involvement in Phase 3 of the VICTORIA clinical trial, which is evaluating the efficacy and safety of the investigational drug vericiguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator being developed to treat patients with worsening chronic heart failure.
The HFSA Research Network’s vision is to improve the health of patients through high-value clinical research and its mission includes the goal of establishing an integrated, high-quality, high-value heart failure network of investigators committed to conducting clinical research in order to improve the understanding and care of patients.
Arun Krishnamoorthy, M.D., whose specialties include cardiology, heart failure and transplantation cardiology, is serving as primary local investigator on the trial. Andrew T. Darlington, D.O., who specializes in cardiology, heart failure and transplantation cardiology, is leading the trial at Piedmont Fayette Hospital, and Venkateshwar Polsani, M.D., who specializes in cardiovascular imaging, are participating in the trial as sub-investigators. Piedmont Heart currently is participating in about 30 clinical trials.
“As Piedmont Heart ranks in the top five percent of heart organizations in the country, research necessarily is an important part of our mission and being named a Top Research Site by the Heart Failure Society validates our work and expertise,” Dr. Krishnamoorthy said. “We are committed to providing innovative treatments for our patients and are thankful for the recognition.”
Heart failure affects more than 60 million patients worldwide. The study enrolled 5,050 patients who were randomized to receive either vericiguat once daily (titrated up to 10 mg) or placebo when given in combination with available heart failure therapies. The trial has met the primary efficacy endpoint. Vericiguat reduced the risk of the composite endpoint of heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular death in patients with worsening chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) compared to placebo when given in combination with available heart failure therapies. Results of the VICTORIA study are anticipated to be released at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions at ACC.20 in March in Washington, D.C.
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), formerly known as systolic heart failure, is characterized by the compromised ability of the heart to eject blood sufficiently during its contraction phase. In the United States, 6.5 million people suffer from heart failure, and approximately 40 to 50 percent of these patients have HFrEF.
Annually, approximately 30 percent of patients with symptomatic chronic heart failure will experience worsening of the disease, which is marked by progressive symptoms and/or a recent heart failure event. Approximately half of patients with worsening chronic HFrEF are re-hospitalized within 30 days of the worsening event, and an estimated one in five patients with worsening chronic HFrEF will die within two years.