Effects of Carperitide on the Long-Term Prognosis of Patients With Acute Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure-The PROTECT Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study-

Background Carperitide is used to treat acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), but its effects on long-term prognosis have not been studied. Methods and Results A multicenter randomized controlled study of.49 patients with ADHF was performed to clarify the drug's effects on long-term prognosis. Low-dose carperitide (0.01-0.05 mu g.kg(-1).min(-1)) was infused for 72h as the initial treatment (n=26), whereas in the control group (n=23), standard medical treatment other than carperitide was given without limitation. Anti-aldosterone drugs were prohibited in both groups. During carperitide infusion, significant increases of the atrial natriuretic peptide and cyclic GMP levels and a significant decrease in the heart-type fatty acid-binding protein/serum creatinine ratio were observed, suggesting inhibition of myocyte cell membrane damage. On the other hand, no significant differences in the plasma brain natriuretic peptide, troponin T, and creatinine levels were noted in either group. During 18-month follow-up, significant reductions of death and rehospitalization occurred in the carperitide vs control group (11.5% vs 34.8%; p=0.0359). Cox regression analysis revealed that randomization to carperitide (p=0.020), pretreatment systolic blood pressure >= 140mmHg (p=0.043), and beta-blocker therapy (p=0.016) were independent predictors for freedom from cardiac events. Conclusions Acute-phase low-dose carperitide infusion improved the long-term prognosis of patients with ADHF. (Circ 12008; 72: 1787-1793)