February 23, 2014European Heart Journal
Effect of imatinib as add-on therapy on echocardiographic measures of right ventricular function in patients with significant pulmonary arterial hypertension
Why the study?
Does imatinib as add-on therapy improve echocardiographic measures of right ventricular function in patients with advanced PAH inadequately treated on at least two PAH-specific drugs?
Population
74 patients with advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension who remain inadequately treated and symptomatic…
Comparison
Imatinib mesylate as add-on therapy for 24 weeks vs Placebo as add-on therapy
Design
RCT, randomized
Follow-up
24 weeks
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Imatinib improves select RV echocardiographic measures in advanced PAH; extends evidence for add-on therapy but leaves clinical outcomes open.
Structured PICO
Does imatinib as add-on therapy improve echocardiographic measures of right ventricular function in patients with advanced PAH inadequately treated on at least two PAH-specific drugs?
P
Population
74 patients with advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) who remain inadequately treated and symptomatic despite receiving at least two PAH-specific drugs
I
Intervention
Imatinib mesylate as add-on therapy for 24 weeks
C
Comparator
Placebo as add-on therapy
O
Outcome
Right ventricular (RV) function assessed by echocardiography (tissue Doppler tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity [TA S'], tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE], RV Tei index, and RV fractional area change) at 24 weekssurrogate
In patients with advanced PAH, imatinib as add-on therapy significantly improves echocardiographic measures of right ventricular function, including TA S' and RV Tei index.
Cite This Study
Shah et al. (2014) studied this question.