Pfizer has announced positive results from the EMPHASIS-HF trial2, which revealed that Inspra (eplerenone) reduces the incidence of new onset atrial fibrillation or flutter in patients with systolic heart failure and mild symptoms.
The Phase IIIB, multinational, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and parallel-group trial enrolled 2,737 patients with chronic systolic heart failure and mild symptoms.
New onset atrial fibrillation or flutter occurred in 25 patients in the Inspra group, compared to 40 patients in the placebo group.
The study also reported that Inspra reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in stable patients with left ventricular dysfunction.
Adverse reactions seen in patients who were given the drug include hyperkalemia, increased creatinine and hypertension.
In Japan, Inspra is approved for the treatment of hypertension.
