Right heart failure future or investigational therapies

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Jad Z Al Danaf

Overview

A right ventricular assist device (RVAD) can be a temporary therapy for patients with an acute exacerbation of right heart failure.

Future or Investigational Therapies

Right ventricular assist device has not yet been tested as a destination therapy in patients with right heart failure. Thus, further studies are needed to determine whether mechanical support devices will benefit individuals with refractory right heart failure and contraindications to heart transplantation ^[1].
Emerging medical therapies are being investigated in the field of right heart failure especially metabolic modulators that seem to be the most promising among therapies that improve myocardial energy utilization ^[2]. Other potential new therapies include myosin activators, Na/K–ATPase inhibitors, adenosine or vasopressin antagonists or micro- RNA modulators^[3].

References

↑ Skhiri M. et al. Evidence-Based Management of Right Heart Failure: a Systematic Review of an Empiric Fiel. Rev Esp Cardiol. 2010;63(4):451-71
↑ Michelakis ED, Wilkins MR, Rabinovitch M. Emerging concepts and translational priorities in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Circulation. 2008;118:1486-95.
↑ Michelakis ED. Mitochondrial medicine: a new era in medicine opens new windows and brings new challenges. Circulation. 2008;117:2431-4.

Overview