BACKGROUND: Loop diuretics are the main treatment for patients with acute heart failure (HF) but are associated with neurohormonal stimulation and worsening renal function and do not improve long-term outcomes. Antagonists to arginine vasopressin may provide an alternative strategy to avoid these effects. The AVANTI study will investigate the efficacy and safety of pecavaptan, a novel, balanced dual-acting V1a/V2 vasopressin antagonist, both as adjunctive therapy to loop diuretics following admission for acute HF, and later as monotherapy.
METHODS: AVANTI is a double-blind, randomized phase II study in 571 patients hospitalized with acute HF and signs of persistent congestion prior to discharge. In Part A, patients will receive either pecavaptan 30 mg daily or placebo with standard of care for 30 days. In Part B, eligible patients will continue treatment or receive pecavaptan or diuretics as monotherapy for another 30 days. The primary endpoints for Part A are changes in body weight and serum creatinine; for Part B, changes in body weight and blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio.
CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide the first evidence that a balanced V1a/V2 antagonist may safely enhance decongestion, both as an adjunct to loop diuretics and as an alternative strategy Trial registration number: NCT03901729.
Tags: ADHF, Bayer, diuretic resistance, pecavaptan