Effect of Ularitide on Cardiovascular Mortality in Acute Heart Failure

Patients with acute heart failure who received ularitide had greater reductions in systolic blood pressure and in levels of N-terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide than those receiving placebo but had no improvement in cardiovascular mortality. Acute presentation with new-onset heart failure and rapid worsening of preexisting heart failure are two of the most common causes of hospitalization worldwide. 1 The disorder in each case is characterized by intravascular volume expansion and ventricular distention, which may cause myocardial injury in the absence of coronary artery disease or occlusion. 2 – 4 Episodes are associated with an accelerated rate of disease progression; each hospitalization for heart failure increases the risk of subsequent admissions as well as the risk of death from cardiovascular causes. 5 The first few hours after the initial presentation with acute heart failure may represent a period of . . .