Milton Packer, MD, Distinguished Scholar in
Cardiovascular Science and an internationally
recognized expert on heart failure, says there
are two important aspects to heart failure
research conducted at Baylor Hamilton Heart
and Vascular Hospital and Baylor University
Medical Center at Dallas. “We continue to
provide leadership in development of novel
drugs and devices to treat heart failure, and we maintain a laser-
like focus on improving the application of those drugs and devices
to enhance patient care. The complete dedication to patients’ well-
being enables new advances to be applied rapidly and that makes
a big difference in terms of what patients experience and what we
can ultimately do for them.”
Dr. Packer points to one research study and two publications that
were significant for heart failure advancements in fiscal year 2017.
• EMPEROR: a study enrolling with heart failure, both with
a reduced and a preserved ejection fraction. The study will
evaluate a SGLT2 inhibitor, empagliflozin, which is already
approved for use in diabetes. The trial began enrollment in
fiscal year 2017. The trial is expected to be completed by 2022.
• “Effect of Ularitide on Cardiovascular Mortality in Acute
Heart Failure,” was published in the May 18, 2017, issue of
The New England Journal of Medicine. The article detailed a
study that evaluated the effect of randomly administering
ularitide, an intravenous vasodilator, to 2,157 patients with
acute heart failure to gauge whether the therapeutic goal of
reducing cardiac-wall stress and potentially myocardial injury
was achieved. The authors concluded that in patients with acute
heart failure, ularitide exerted favorable physiological effects
without affecting cardiac troponin levels.
The following studies were
nationally known as top enrolling:
EVOLVE Short DAPT Study
A prospective, multicenter,
single-arm study designed
to assess the safety of three-
month DAPT in subjects at high
risk for bleeding undergoing
PCI with a SYNERGY Stent
System, sponsored by Boston
Scientific Corporate. Top-
ranked internationally.
CANTOS
A cardiovascular risk reduction
study (reduction in recurrent
major cardiovascular disease
events), sponsored by Novartis
Pharmaceuticals. Top- ranked
nationally.
SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED Study
Obtain an assessment of the
efficacy and safety of renal
denervation in the absence of
antihypertensive medications,
sponsored by Medtronic
Vascular. Top-ranked
nationally.
SPYRAL HTN-ON MED Study
Obtain an assessment of
the efficacy and safety of
renal denervation in the
presence of three standard
antihypertensive medications,
sponsored by Medtronic
Vascular. Top-ranked
nationally.
• “Declining Risk of Sudden Death in Heart Failure,” was
published in the July 6, 2017, issue of The New England Journal
of Medicine. The autho