Pharmacological treatment options for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: high time for evidence
Transcription
Pharmacological treatment options for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: high time for evidence
REVIEW European Heart Journal (2012) 33, 1724–1733 doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehs150 Controversies in cardiovascular medicine Pharmacological treatment options for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: high time for evidence Roberto Spoladore1*, Martin S. Maron2, Rossella D’Amato 1, Paolo G. Camici 1, and Iacopo Olivotto 3 Received 2 March 2012; revised 22 April 2012; accepted 3 May 2012; online publish-ahead-of-print 19 June 2012 Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic heart disease, affecting over one million individuals in Europe. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients often require pharmacological intervention for control of symptoms, dynamic left ventricular outflow obstruction, supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, and microvascular ischaemia. Current treatment strategies in HCM are predicated on the empirical use of long-standing drugs, such as beta-adrenergic and calcium blockers, although with little evidence supporting their clinical benefit in this disease. In the six decades since the original description of the disease, ,50 pharmacological studies enrolling little over 2000 HCM patients have been performed, the majority of which were small, non-randomized cohorts. As our understanding of the genetic basis and pathophysiology of HCM improves, the availability of transgenic and preclinical models uncovers clues to novel and promising treatment modalities. Furthermore, the number of patients identified and followed at international referral centres has grown steadily over the decades. As a result, the opportunity now exists to implement adequately designed pharmacological trials in HCM, using established as well as novel drug therapies, to potentially intervene on the complex pathophysiology of the disease and alter its natural course. Therefore, it is timely to review the available evidence for pharmacological therapy of HCM patients, highlight the most relevant gaps in knowledge, and address some of the most promising areas for future pharmacological research, in an effort to move HCM into the era of evidence-based management. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Keywords Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy † Pharmacological treatment † Outcome † Randomized trials Introduction Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic heart disease,1 – 7 with a prevalence in the general population of 1:500, i.e. an estimate of .1 000 000 affected individuals in Europe, representing a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in the young3 and a prevalent cause of heart failure and stroke.1 Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by a very complex pathophysiological background, reflecting into heterogeneous clinical manifestations and natural history. Established features of the disease include a constellation of asymmetric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, deranged cardiomyocyte energetics, diastolic dysfunction, microvascular ischaemia, enhanced myocardial fibrosis, abnormal sympathetic innervation, and multifactorial arrhythmogenesis:8 – 10 each represents a potential objective for treatment. In addition, dynamic LV outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction is present in approximately 70% of HCM patients, either at rest or with physiological provocation. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction is a major determinant of symptoms, such as dyspnoea, chest pain, or presyncope, and has represented the most visible and consistent target of therapeutic efforts in HCM (possibly with the exception of sudden death prevention), based both on drugs and invasive septal reduction strategies.11 Pharmacological interventions in patients with HCM are often necessary for control of limiting heart failure and anginal symptoms, LVOT obstruction, and arrhythmias.12 However, medical treatment strategies remain largely predicated on a small number of clinical studies, and are most often empirically based on personal experience or extrapolation from other cardiac conditions.13 Thus, although valuable clinical guidelines exist for HCM,1,2 the strength of recommendations for pharmacological treatment is largely not evidence based. * Corresponding author. Tel: +39 0226437608, Fax: +39 0226437359, Email: [email protected] Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. & The Author 2012. For permissions please email: [email protected] Downloaded from http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on September 9, 2014 1 Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, Vita-Salute University and San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan, Milan 20132, Italy; 2HCM Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; and 3Referral Center for Cardiomyopathies, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy Pharmacological treatment of HCM In recent years, the widespread use of imaging and genetic testing, coupled with an increasing awareness in the cardiology community, have led to the identification of large populations of individuals with HCM, regularly followed at international referral centres.14 At the same time, a number of genetic and pathophysiological studies have highlighted novel potential targets for diseasespecific treatments. As a result, the opportunity now exists to implement adequately designed pharmacological trials in HCM, using established as well as novel drug therapies, to potentially intervene on the complex pathophysiology of the disease and alter its natural course. Therefore, we believe it is timely to review the available evidence for pharmacological treatment of HCM, and highlight some of the relevant disease pathways which could be targeted by current or emerging drug therapies. The evidence: a systematic review In a comprehensive Medline search (pubmed.gov), original articles, reviews, and editorials published in English were tracked, addressing the use of any pharmacological agent employed in HCM cohorts in the period 1950–2011, with the exception of case reports. References in each of the papers retrieved, as well as in HCM and heart failure guidelines, were also searched. A total of 45 studies were identified over the last 60 years (i.e. ,1 per year), enrolling a total of 2121 HCM patients (Supplementary material online, Table S1). Study design in the majority of cases was prospective (n ¼ 40, 87%); however, only 5 were randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trials. The number of papers in a comparison of the period 1991–2011 vs. 1971–1990 demonstrated no increase in the number of studies (Figure 1A), and only a modest increase in the number of patients enrolled (627 vs. 1473 patients, respectively). With regard to sample size, only 7 studies (15%) enrolled .50 patients, whereas 22 (49%) had ,20 patients (Figure 1B). The maximum number of patients in a single prospective study was 118, in a disopyramide multicentre registry.15 The majority of studies assessed b-blockers or calcium channel blockers (n ¼ 36), while a smaller number focused on amiodarone (n ¼ 5), disopyramide (n ¼ 4), or a variety of other agents [angiotensin receptors blockers, propafenone, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, perhexilline, and statins] (Figure 2). Thirty-nine studies were based on a single drug, and 6 assessed multiple drugs, including 4 studies with direct comparison of two agents (Supplementary material online, Table S2). The clinical endpoints assessed included non-invasive measurement of diastolic function (n ¼ 13; 29%), relief of dynamic LVOT obstruction (n ¼ 11; 25%), and prevention of arrhythmias and sudden death (n ¼ 6; 13%) (Supplementary material online, Table S1). Of note, none of the studies has prospectively addressed the issue of the longterm outcome. b-Adrenoceptor blockers b-Blockers represent the mainstay of therapy and have proved effective in patients with angina or dyspnoea on effort, particularly when associated with LVOT obstruction, and are often employed to reduce the prevalence of non-sustained ventricular arrhythmias.1,2 These beneficial effects are mediated by sympathetic modulation of heart rate, ventricular contractility, and stiffness, leading to improved ventricular relaxation, increased time for diastolic filling, and reduced excitability.12,13 Despite these advantages, whether long-term treatment with b-blockers ultimately impacts outcome in HCM patients remains still undefined.4 Furthermore, it is unknown whether any specific agent is superior to the others, given the substantial dissimilarities of b-blockers with regard to pharmacodynamic profile, b-1 selectivity, metabolic interaction, and antiarrhythmic properties. Five types of b-blockers have been used in 12 studies enrolling a total of 391 patients. Propanolol has been assessed in four early prospective studies focusing on acute gradient reduction and symptom relief in obstructive patients (Figure 3), and in one retrospective outcome study in a young HCM patient cohort.16 – 20 Furthermore, a double-blind placebo-controlled trial demonstrated symptomatic benefit with the use of nadolol over verapamil, whereas another, double-blind crossover trial showed sotalol to be effective in suppressing supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias.21,22 Intriguingly, Melacini et al.15 in a retrospective evaluation reported that none of the patients on long-term treatment with sotalol in the Padua cohort experienced sudden cardiac death over a 7-year follow-up. By virtue of their efficacy in reducing LVOT obstruction and myocardial ischaemia, current guidelines recommend b-blockers Figure 1 Number, design, and sample size of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy pharmacological studies according to period of publication (A) and sample size (B). Downloaded from http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on September 9, 2014 Number and design of available studies 1725 1726 R. Spoladore et al. Figure 2 Number of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy pharmacological studies (A) and number of patients enrolled (B), based on the type of drug employed. ACE-I, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors; ARBs, angiotensin receptor blockers. mm Hg 240 160 L.V. B.A. 80 40 0 C.O. 8.40 L/min. A.O. 0.88 cm2 C.O. 8.62 L/min. A.O. 0.76 cm2 C.O. 8.24 L/min. A.O. 0.86 cm2 After receptor blockade mm Hg 240 0.5 sec. 160 80 40 0 C.O. 6.62 A.O. 1.05 Control C.O. 5.58 A.O. 0.90 Exercise C.O. 6.13 A.O. 1.03 Post-exercise Figure 3 Effects of beta-adrenergic blockade on subaortic obstruction. Simultaneous pressures recorded in the left ventricle (LV) and brachial artery (BA). Observations prior to the beta-adrenergic-blocking agent Nethalide are shown in the top three panels, while the observations following Nethalide administration are shown in the bottom three panels. Control measurements before exercise in each instance are on the left, measurements at the completion of the exercise period are in the centre, and after the cessation of exercise on the right. CO, cardiac output; AO, effective outflow orifice. The stippled area represents the LV – BA pressure gradient. Reproduced from Harrison et al.99 Downloaded from http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on September 9, 2014 Before receptor blockade 1727 Pharmacological treatment of HCM as first line agents in symptomatic patients, both with or without resting obstruction.1,2 With regard to inducible obstruction, two recent studies have consistently shown marked reduction or abolition in exercise-induced LVOT obstruction with bisoprolol at well-tolerated doses (S. Nistri, submitted for publication).23 Disopyramide An old class I A antiarrhythmic drug, disopyramide has been used successfully to attenuate the pressure gradient and improve symptoms in patients with LVOT obstruction, generally in association with b-blockers.46 – 58 The beneficial effect of disopyramide is due to its negative inotropic action, reducing the drag forces that trigger dynamic subaortic obstruction. Its efficacy and safety have been demonstrated in a large retrospective registry.49 Nevertheless, concerns regarding QTc prolongation and significant anticholinergic side-effects may limit its long-term use. In our own practice, disopyramide is often used the short-term as a bridge to surgical myectomy in symptomatic patients with severe LV outflow obstruction.4 Amiodarone Early data stimulated hopes that amiodarone might be highly protective in HCM, with regard to potentially malignant ventricular arrhythmias.50 – 53 However, its efficacy in preventing sudden death is now considered suboptimal, based on the fact that 20% of patients dying suddenly in one retrospective study were on active amiodarone treatment at the time of death.15 In addition, the well-known adverse side-effects of this drug render its longterm use challenging. At present, amiodarone remains the most effective and widely used treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), Other drugs Very limited data exist regarding the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in HCM. A relatively old study showed the acute effects of combined treatment of intracoronary enalapril and sublingual captopril in restoring coronary flow reserve.54 Four subsequent prospective randomized pilot trials suggested a potential benefit of renin–angiotensin –aldosterone (RAAS) inhibitors on LV function and progression of hypertrophy,55 – 57 but have not been followed by larger studies. In addition, Valsartan is effective in suppressing the synthesis of type I collagen in HCM patients, suggesting potential beneficial effects for prevention of myocardial fibrosis.58 A single study suggested a positive effect of intravenous propafenone in reducing LVOT obstruction.59 Finally, a pilot study enrolling 21 HCM patients, based on promising pre-clinical data, failed to prove significant modifications in echocardiographic indexes of LV hypertrophy following treatment with atorvastatin.60 Pharmacological control of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction The pharmacological treatment of LVOT obstruction and related symptoms in HCM patients is based on a time-honoured combination of negative inotropic agents, including b-blockers, calcium antagonists, and disopyramide.1,2 In general, b-blockers are most effective on the latent, exercise-related form of LVOT obstruction, but tend to be less effective when severe obstruction is present at rest. Non-dihidropiridinic calcium antagonists such as verapamil or diltiazem are even less effective, because their negative inotropic action is partly counteracted by their gradient-enhancing vasodilating properties. Disopyramide has been proven safe and effective, but can be problematic in the long-term due to its anticholinergic side-effects and, in a significant percentage of patients, to a loss of clinical benefits decrease over time.7 As a result of these limitations, pharmacological control of symptoms in obstructive HCM patients is often less than optimal and may be poor. In the presence of drug refractory, disabling symptoms, invasive options such as surgical septal myectomy or, in a very selected subset of patients, septal alcohol ablation, represent the treatment of choice.61 Of note, obstructive HCM patients undergoing surgical myectomy have shown excellent long-term survival and reduced risk of sudden cardiac death compared with those treated conservatively with drugs.7,62 Management of atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation is a common occurrence in HCM population, often representing a turning point in the clinical course by virtue of HCM-related mortality, symptomatic deterioration, and risk of stroke.1,2 The powerful independent association of AF with HCM-related mortality and morbidity underlines the necessity for aggressive therapeutic strategies in these patients,63 including early initiation of oral anticoagulation for the prevention of Downloaded from http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on September 9, 2014 Calcium channel blockers Non-dihydropiridine calcium-channel blockers such as verapamil and diltiazem have been successfully employed in symptomatic patients with non-obstructive HCM. Conversely, HCM guidelines suggest caution in using calcium channel blockers in patients with significant LVOT obstruction, due to their potentially adverse haemodynamic effects.24 – 31 The beneficial effects of calcium channel blockers are largely mediated by their negative inotropic and chronotropic effects, leading to prolonged LV filling time and improved redistribution of flow towards the subendocardial layers of the LV.12,13,32 Verapamil is the single most studied agent in HCM, with 367 patients enrolled in 12 studies, of which 8 were single drug and 4 were multiple drug evaluations. Eight of these studies were prospective. To date, there is no definite evidence that verapamil effectively improves functional capacity in HCM, although the drug has been used for decades to ameliorate quality of life in non-obstructive patients, and is considered standard treatment.1,2,21,33 – 40 Diltiazem has been studied in 4 small prospective trials enrolling 55 HCM patients in total. In three, diltiazem was shown to improve LV diastolic parameters, either acutely or at mid-term administration, whereas one showed beneficial effects of the drug on myocardial ischaemia assessed by exercise-single photon emission computerized tomography (Supplementary material online, Table S1).41 – 44 Following intriguing pre-clinical evidence (reviewed below), an ongoing study is testing the hypothesis that diltiazem may prevent development of the HCM phenotype in genotype-positive individuals.45 although no study has specifically addressed such indication in HCM.50 – 53 In addition, the drug is often used for control of asymptomatic ventricular ectopics, and to minimize the likelihood of appropriate discharge in patients with implantable defibrillators. To our knowledge, there is no systematic experience with dronedarone in HCM patients. 1728 Pre-clinical studies We found nine experimental studies assessing pharmacological treatment in HCM animal models (Supplementary material online, Table S3). Long-term treatment with N-Acetilcysteine, a precursor to the most abundant intracellular non protein thiol pool against oxidative stress, reversed cardiac and myocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis, prevented LV systolic dysfunction, and improved arrhythmogenic propensity in an established transgenic rabbit model of human HCM. Resolution of cardiac and myocyte hypertrophy and prevention of cardiac systolic dysfunction with NAC are novel findings. The data suggest the potential beneficial effects of this drug in reversal of cardiac phenotype in HCM and prevention of global cardiac systolic dysfunction.66,67 In a randomized placebo-controlled study in transgenic rabbits, the administration of atorvastatin prior to phenotypic expression prevented the development of cardiac hypertrophy over a 1-year period of observation. Prevention of cardiac hypertrophy was demonstrated at organ, cell, and molecular levels.68 Similar results were obtained by the administration of simvastatin.69 Furthermore, two randomized studies in mice and rats showed how RAAS antagonists, alone or in combination with aldosterone, were able to prevent and reverse myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy,70,71 and two prospective studies demonstrated diltiazem to be effective in preventing development of hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in transgenic HCM mice.72,73 Finally, trimetazidine, a metabolic modulator with anti-Ca2+ properties, was effective in increasing survival and reducing heart and liver hypertrophy in cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters.74 difficulties and limited efforts directed at clinical research initiatives in this area. Most of these studies have employed surrogate endpoints such as exercise tolerance, change in LVOT gradients, or indexes of cardiac performance, and were therefore not powered to assess the impact of therapeutic interventions on the natural history and outcome of HCM. Thus, evidence-based approaches to novel treatments in HCM patients represent an urgent priority, emphasized by the recent report of the Working Group of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute on ‘Research Priorities in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy’.14 It is true that genetic cardiomyopathies pose a number of significant challenges with respect to designing and implementing properly powered, prospective randomized clinical trials. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a relatively uncommon disease in which a limited number of patients are available for participation in randomized trials, even within the major international tertiary referral centres for this disease. Furthermore, in view of the relatively low event rates of hard cardiovascular endpoints associated with HCM, large populations are theoretically required in order to detect a benefit of any given treatment on prognosis. On the other hand, designing studies which incorporate ‘softer’ clinical endpoints, such as those based on non-invasive testing or serum biomarkers, is not optimal because they might represent a further hurdle to randomization. Based on these considerations, for example, specific issues such as the long-term comparison of the survival benefits of surgical myectomy vs. alcohol septal ablation appear exceedingly difficult to address.75 On the other hand, the potential availability of integrated networks among international referral centres, several of which actively follow cohorts of .1000 HCM patients, might render the performance of these large trials possible. In selected subgroups, such as patients with evidence of adverse LV remodelling, at high risk of end-stage progression, pharmacological studies addressing outcome might be easier to perform, due to the substantially higher event rates expected.76 While hard endpoints including total cardiovascular mortality, heart failure-related and sudden cardiac death remain the gold standard of any therapeutic investigation in HCM patients, it is reasonable to consider prospective studies incorporating more attainable but sound clinical endpoints, reflecting important features of the disease pathophysiology, which have previously been shown to have prognostic value. Specifically, advanced imaging techniques can be exploited to quantitate the effect of novel treatments on parameters such LV coronary microvascular function and myocardial tissue fibrosis.2,14,77 Clinical pilot studies designed with these endpoints might provide the rationale for the larger multicentre, international prospective studies necessary to determine, over a reasonable period of time, the benefit of novel treatments on the natural history of HCM. Limitations of clinical trials in HCM Potential treatment targets To date, the studies evaluating specific medical treatments for HCM have included little more than 2000 patients—i.e. a study sample less than a single, small multicentre heart failure, or coronary disease trial. The number of pharmacological studies per year has not increased over the last four decades, reflecting both Plausible options for treatment of HCM patients include both novel indications of well-known drugs as well as the development of novel agents targeting disease-specific abnormalities. The latter approach, certainly the most promising, must necessarily derive from the clinical translation of advanced basic research. Therefore, Downloaded from http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on September 9, 2014 cardioembolic stroke, which should be considered even after a single episode of paroxysmal AF.1,2 Control of AF-related symptoms may be achieved with adequate rate control in older patients, using b-blockers or calcium channel blockers.1,2 However, rhythm control appears highly preferable in the young, because of poor haemodynamic adaptation to permanent AF. Because there is a paucity of data on rhythm control in patients with HCM, evidence from other patient populations is extrapolated to HCM.64 Amiodarone is safe and effective in HCM patients, and is considered the drug of choice in most instances.1,2 Disopyramide has been shown to be safe when prescribed for control of LVOT obstruction, but its efficacy in prevention of recurrent AF is not well established.1,2,64 Furthermore, there are no data regarding the efficacy of other class I antiarrhythmic agents, sotalol, or dronedarone in HCM.1,2,64 Catheter-based ablation techniques have recently shown promising results in HCM patients with symptomatic AF refractory to medical treatment, but need to be assessed in larger cohorts and over longer follow-up periods.65 R. Spoladore et al. Pharmacological treatment of HCM better understanding of the major mechanisms involved in HCM pathophysiology remains an essential pre-requisite for any groundbreaking advance in pharmacological treatment14 (Figures 4 and 5). Aldosterone/angiotensin II and myocardial fibrosis In transgenic mouse models of HCM, aldosterone and angiotensin II (A-II) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of myocyte 1729 hypertrophy and disarray as well as increased interstitial fibrosis.71,78 In addition, myocardial aldosterone levels are increased up to fourfold in HCM patients compared with normal controls.79 These observations suggest that the RAAS feedback loop may be upregulated in HCM, similar to other chronic conditions where both A-II and aldosterone directly contribute to adverse cardiac and vascular remodelling. These changes ultimately lead to the promotion of myocardial fibrosis, a feature of HCM with relevant functional and prognostic implications.78 Further studies are needed to determine more Downloaded from http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on September 9, 2014 Figure 4 Disease pathways of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and potential therapeutic interventions. Various signalling pathways and disease mechanisms can be activated as the result of a specific gene mutation. (A) Disturbed biomechanical stress sensing. (B) Impaired calcium cycling and sensitivity. (C) Altered energy homeostasis. (D) Increased fibrosis. These pathways should not be considered in isolation because they can act in concert. LTCC, voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel; PLB, cardiac phospholamban; RyR2, ryanodine receptor 2; SERCA2, sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2; SR, sarcoplasmic reticulum; TGF-b, transforming growth factor b; T-tubule, transverse tubule. Reproduced from Frey et al.92 1730 R. Spoladore et al. Downloaded from http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on September 9, 2014 Figure 5 Physiopathology of myocardial ischaemia in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. precisely the mechanisms responsible for local upregulation of these molecular mediators in HCM hearts. Nevertheless, experiments in rodent models of HCM have shown that drugs that inhibit aldosterone (e.g. spironolactone) or A-II (e.g. angiotensin II blockers) reduce myocardial fibrosis, attenuate the extent of myocyte disarray, and improve diastolic function.69,70 These observations have led to human HCM cross-sectional studies demonstrating that serum markers of collagen synthesis are increased over degradation and related to diastolic function.80 At present, the clinical efficacy of anti-remodelling drugs in HCM is uncertain. However, evidence derived from patients with other forms of heart disease such as hypertensive cardiomyopathy in which there are structural abnormalities of the intramural arterioles and patterns of fibrosis similar to HCM support a potential beneficial effect of these drugs on coronary microvascular remodelling, fibrosis, and diastolic function. Greater insight in this area will hopefully be gained following the completion of an on-going single-centre randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial exploring whether mineral corticoid receptor blockade reduce myocardial fibrosis in HCM patients [Martin Maron, MD, oral communication]. The primary endpoint of this study is the effect of spironolactone on serial measurements of serum markers of collagen synthesis Pharmacological treatment of HCM 1731 and degradation at baseline and 12 months follow-up. Promising applications of aldosterone/A-II inhibition include prevention of development of the HCM phenotype in genotype-positive individuals, and prevention to end-stage progression in patients with adverse LV remodelling and declining cardiac function.14 Cascade of myocardial ischaemia Myocardial ischaemia due to severe coronary microvascular dysfunction is a well-established pathophysiologic feature of HCM81 (Figure 5). Marked structural abnormalities of the small intramural coronary arteries, including medial hypertrophy, intimal hyperplasia, and decreased luminal size, are considered the most relevant substrate producing microvascular dysfunction and myocardial ischaemia in HCM. Microvascular ischaemia appears to occur more frequently in patients with evidence of sarcomere myofilament mutations (Figure 6).82 Additional features such as myocyte disarray, interstitial fibrosis, and reduced capillary density may contribute to the impairment of tissue perfusion.83 Severe coronary microvascular dysfunction is a strong, independent predictor of clinical deterioration and death.84,85 Downloaded from http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on September 9, 2014 Figure 6 Impact of genetic status on microvascular function. Upper panel: comparison of myocardial blood flow following dipyridamole between genotype-positive and -negative patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Bottom panel: (A and B) cardiac magnetic resonance short-axis and (C and D) four-chamber views in a 15-year-old girl with HCM-causing MHY7 mutation (left) and 16-year-old boy with negative genetic screening (right). Both patients have the typical HCM phenotype with severe asymmetric hypertrophy localized at the interventricular septum. Polar maps obtained with positron emission tomography after dipyridamole infusion show severe microvascular dysfunction in the (E) genotype-positive (mean Dip-MBF 1.6 mL/min/g) but not in the (F ) genotype-negative patient, in whom myocardial blood flow appears to be preserved (mean Dip-MBF 3.9 mL/min/g). Dip-MBF, myocardial blood flow following dipyridamole; HCM, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; MYBPC3, myosin-binding protein C; MYH7, beta-myosin heavy chain. Reproduced from Olivotto et al.97 1732 Deranged intracellular energy utilization Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by abnormal cardiomyocyte energetics, as reflected by a reduced phosphocreatine/ATP ratio, measured by means of magnetic resonance spectroscopy, both in animal models and in patients.92 Inefficient energy handling and energy depletion are believed to represent a cause of hypertrophy in HCM.92 Thus, agent improving the energetic profile of cardiomyocytes may prove very useful in counteracting a fundamental mechanism of disease. Perhexiline, a metabolic modulator which inhibits the metabolism of free fatty acids and enhances carbohydrate utilization by the cardiomyocyte,93 has recently been employed in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial enrolling 46 non-obstructive HCM patients. Following 4.6 months of treatment with 100 mg/day, perhexiline ameliorated the energetic profile of the LV, resulting in improved diastolic function and exercise capacity.94 This important study provides a rationale for further consideration of metabolic therapies in HCM.92,93 Late sodium current and calcium handling abnormalities Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is associated with a complex electrophysiological cardiomyocyte remodelling involving multiple changes in transmembrane currents. Enhanced late sodium current has recently been described in isolated cardiomyocytes from HCM patients, causing intracellular calcium (Ca2+) overload and ultimately leading to abnormal energy handling and increased arrhythmogenicity. Selective late sodium current inhibition by ranolazine markedly improved these abnormalities in vitro.95 Thus, ranolazine represents a promising therapeutic option in HCM patients, with potential benefits similar or even greater than those described in patients with coronary artery disease.96 A multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study is currently underway to test the efficacy of ranolazine on exercise tolerance and diastolic function in symptomatic HCM patients (EUDRA-CT 2011-004507-20). In addition, studies on HCM patients and animal models have highlighted several direct consequences of sarcomere gene mutations on intracellular calcium handling, pointing to SERCA2a, phospholamban, and related proteins as promising therapeutic targets.92 A strategy currently under scrutiny is based on the observation that inhibition of plasma membrane L-type Ca2+ channels by diltiazem normalizes aberrant levels of Ca2+ and prevents fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction in mouse models of HCM.97,98 Consequently, an ongoing trial is evaluating the effect of ‘prophylactic’ treatment with diltiazem in genotype–positive hypertrophy-negative HCM patients, with the aim of preventing the development of LV hypertrophy (NCT00319982). Conclusions Five decades following the original description of HCM, there is still a dismal paucity of data supporting pharmacological treatment strategies for this complex disease. By comparison, device-based, percutaneous, and surgical treatments of LVOT obstruction have received significantly greater attention, although rarely in a doubleblind randomized fashion. This can be regarded as a paradox, as only a minority of patients requires surgery or a device, whereas the large majority is treated pharmacologically. Of all the potential new targets for pharmacological treatment, three seem to be closer to fruition, i.e. cardiomyocyte electrophysiological and metabolic dysfunction, coronary microvascular dysfunction, and increased interstitial fibrosis. Drugs capable of improving the metabolic efficiency of the cardiomyocyte are now available, which hold promise in targeting the intracellular pathways of hypertrophy and dysfunction in HCM hearts. Coronary microvascular dysfunction can lead to myocardial ischaemia and replacement fibrosis in HCM, resulting in adverse LV remodelling and dysfunction. Likewise, increased interstitial fibrosis appear to derive from an upregulated RAAS feedback loop, similar to other chronic conditions where both A-II and aldosterone directly contribute to adverse cardiac and vascular remodelling. Pilot, proof of principle studies are in the process to be started to ascertain if established drugs, proven effective in other conditions, may lead to reversal of this phenomenon in HCM. In the next future, as our understanding of the pathophysiology of HCM increases, the availability of transgenic models of the disease, functional imaging techniques, and genome-wide analysis capabilities will hopefully provide clues to novel and promising treatment modalities for HCM. However, these will only remain Downloaded from http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on September 9, 2014 Microvascular dysfunction is often present in patients with only mild or no symptoms and can precede clinical deterioration by years.86 Thus, the pathophysiologic cascade of events, leading from remodelling and dysfunction of the intramural coronary arterioles to myocardial ischaemia and replacement fibrosis, is an ideal therapeutic target (Figure 5). There is no proven treatment capable of improving coronary microvascular function in HCM.87 However, the anatomic and functional features of coronary microvascular remodelling in HCM are very similar to those described in hypertensive cardiomyopathy. Mourad et al.87 carried out a pilot study using PET to investigate the effects on the coronary microcirculation of 6 months of antihypertensive treatment with a very low-dose combination of the ACE inhibitor, perindopril, and the diuretic, indapamide. The study results suggest that treatment with this drug combination can improve coronary microvascular function in hypertensive patients. A subsequent PET study by Neglia et al.88 confirmed the results in hypertensive patients. In addition, in an ancillary study, these authors demonstrated, in a well-established animal model of LV hypertrophy (the spontaneously hypertensive rat—SHR) that the effects of perindopril plus indapamide on myocardial blood flow are due to reverse remodelling of coronary arterioles and reduction in vessel rarefaction. Other drugs, with different mechanisms of action, have the potential to improve coronary microvascular function in HCM. Some of these drugs act on the extravascular component of coronary resistance by improving diastolic relaxation (ranolazine)89 or prolonging filling of the coronary reservoir by prolonging diastole (ivabradine)90 others, such as the activators of soluble guanylate cyclase (cGMP),91 might provide additional, direct anti remodelling effect on the microvasculature. Based on recent genetic and molecular insights, further studies are needed to address novel pharmacological approaches to microvascular dysfunction in HCM.92 R. Spoladore et al. Pharmacological treatment of HCM hypotheses until systematic clinical evidence can be systematically obtained from adequately designed clinical trials. The changing epidemiology of the disease now allows what was previously impossible: it is high time to move HCM into the era of evidencebased management. Supplementary material Supplementary material is available at European Heart Journal online. Funding This work was supported by the European Union (STREP Project 241577 ‘BIG HEART,’ 7th European Framework Program). Conflict of interest: P.G.C. is consultant for Servier International. 1. Maron BJ, McKenna WJ, Danielson GK, Kappenberger LJ, Kuhn HJ, Seidman CE, Shah PM, Spencer WH, Spirito P, Ten Cate FJ, Wigle ED; Task Force on Clinical Expert Consensus Documents; American College of Cardiology; Committee for Practice Guidelines. ACC/ESC clinical expert consensus document on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Task Force on Clinical Expert Consensus Documents and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Committee to Develop an Expert Consensus Document on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy). J Am Coll Cardiol 2003;42:1687 –1713. 2. Gersh BJ, Maron BJ, Bonow RO, Dearani JA, Fifer MA, Link MS, Naidu SS, Nishimura RA, Ommen SR, Rakowski H, Seidman CE, Towbin JA, Udelson JE, Yancy CW. 2011 ACCF/AHA guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation 2011;124:2761 –2796. 3. Maron BJ, Olivotto I, Spirito P, Casey SA, Bellone P, Gohman TE, Graham KJ, Burton DA, Cecchi F. Epidemiology of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-related death: revisited in a large non-referral-based patient population. Circulation 2000;102:858 –864. 4. Maron BJ. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a systematic review. JAMA 2002;287: 1308– 1320. 5. Marian AJ. Genetic determinants of cardiac hypertrophy. Curr Opin Cardiol 2008; 23:199 –205. 6. Taylor MR, Carniel E, Mestroni L. Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: clinical features, molecular genetics and molecular genetic testing. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2004;4:99–113. 7. Wigle ED, Rakowski H, Kimball BP, Williams WG. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: clinical spectrum and treatment. Circulation 1995;92:1680 –1692. 8. Ommen SR. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Curr Probl Cardiol 2011;11:409 –453. 9. Nihoyannopoulos P, Karatasakis G, Frenneaux M, McKenna WJ, Oakley CM. Diastolic function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: relation to exercise capacity. J Am Coll Cardiol 1992;19:536 –540. 10. Cannon RO III, Rosing DR, Maron BJ, Leon MB, Bonow RO, Watson RM, Epstein SE. Myocardial ischemia in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: contribution of inadequate vasodilator reserve and elevated left ventricular filling pressures. Circulation 1985;71:234 – 243. 11. Maron MS, Olivotto I, Zenovich AG, Link MS, Pandian NG, Kuvin JT, Nistri S, Cecchi F, Udelson JE, Maron BJ. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is predominantly a disease of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Circulation 2006;114: 2232– 2239. 12. Spirito P, Seidman CE, McKenna WJ, Maron BJ. The management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. N Engl J Med 1997;336:775 –785. 13. Marian AJ. Contemporary treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Tex Heart Inst J 2009;36:194 –204. 14. Force T, Bonow RO, Houser SR, Solaro RJ, Hershberger RE, Adhikari B, Anderson ME, Boineau R, Byrne BJ, Cappola TP, Kalluri R, LeWinter MM, Maron MS, Molkentin JD, Ommen SR, Regnier M, Tang WH, Tian R, Konstam MA, Maron BJ, Seidman CE. Group of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Research Priorities in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Report of a Working. Circulation 2010;122:1130 – 1133. 15. Melacini P, Maron BJ, Bobbo F, Basso C, Tokajuk B, Zucchetto M, Thiene G, Iliceto S. Evidence that pharmacological strategies lack efficacy for the prevention of sudden death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Heart 2007;93:708 –710. 16. Cohen LS, Braunwald E. Amelioration of angina pectoris in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis with beta-adrenergic blockade. Circulation 1967;35:847 – 851. 17. Flamm MD, Harrison DC, Hancock EW. Muscular subaortic stenosis. Prevention of outflow obstruction with propranolol. Circulation 1968;38:846 – 858. 18. Adelman AG, Shah PM, Gramiak R, Wigle ED. Long-term propranolol therapy in muscular subaortic stenosis. Br Heart J 1970;32:804–811. 19. Thompson DS, Naqvi N, Juul SM, Swanton RH, Coltart DJ, Jenkins BS, Webb-Peploe MM. Effects of propranolol on myocardial oxygen consumption, substrate extraction, and haemodynamics in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Br Heart J 1980;44:488 –498. 20. Ostman-Smith I, Wettrell G, Riesenfeld T. A cohort study of childhood hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: improved survival following high-dose beta-adrenoceptor antagonist treatment. J Am Coll Cardiol 1999;34:1813 –1822. 21. Gilligan DM, Chan WL, Joshi J, Clarke P, Fletcher A, Krikler S, Oakley CM. A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of nadolol and verapamil in mild and moderately symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol 1993;21:1672 –1679. 22. Tendera M, Wycisk A, Schneeweiss A, Polon´ski L, Wodniecki J. Effect of sotalol on arrhythmias and exercise tolerance in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Cardiology 1993;82:335 –342. 23. Cabrera-Bueno F, Garcı´a-Pinilla JM, Go´mez-Doblas JJ, Montiel-Trujillo A, Rodrı´guez-Bailo´n I, de Teresa-Galva´n E. Beta-blocker therapy for dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction induced by exercise. Int J Cardiol 2007; 117:222–226. 24. Yamakado T, Okano H, Higashiyama S, Hamada M, Nakano T, Takezawa H. Effects of nifedipine on left ventricular diastolic function in patients with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 1990;81:593 –601. 25. Betocchi S, Cannon RO 3rd, Watson RM, Bonow RO, Ostrow HG, Epstein SE, Rosing DR. Effects of sublingual nifedipine on hemodynamics and systolic and diastolic function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 1985;72: 1001 –7. 26. Lorell BH, Paulus WJ, Grossman W, Wynne J, Cohn PF. Modification of abnormal left ventricular diastolic properties by nifedipine in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 1982;65:499 –507. 27. Paulus WJ, Lorell BH, Craig WE, Wynne J, Murgo JP, Grossman W. Comparison of the effects of nitroprusside and nifedipine on diastolic properties in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: altered left ventricular loading or improved muscle inactivation?. J Am Coll Cardiol 1983;2:879 – 886. 28. Senn M, Hess OM, Krayenbu¨hl HP. Nifedipine in the treatment of hypertrophic non-obstructive cardiomyopathy. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 1982;112:1312 –1317. 29. Yamakado T, Higashiyama S, Nakano T, Takezawa H. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: with special reference to clinical symptom and the effects of calcium blocking agent (nifedipine). J Cardiol Suppl 1987;16:53 –63. 30. Cserhalmi L, Assmann I, Glavanov M, Rev J, Kelecsen´eyi Z. Long-term therapy of hypertrophic obstructive and non-obstructive cardiomyopathy with nifedipine in comparison to propranolol. Z Gesamte Inn Med 1984;39:330 –335. 31. Hopf R, Thomas J, Klepzig H, Kaltenbach M. Treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with nifedipine and propranolol in combination. Z Kardiol 1987;76: 469 –478. 32. Choudhury L, Elliott P, Rimoldi O, Ryan M, Lammertsma AA, Boyd H, McKenna WJ, Camici PG. Transmural myocardial blood flow distribution in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and effect of treatment. Basic Res Cardiol 1999; 94:49 –59. 33. Kaltenbach M, Hopf R, Kober G, Bussmann WD, Keller M, Petersen Y. Treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with verapamil. Br Heart J 1979;42: 35 – 42. 34. Rosing DR, Kent KM, Maron BJ, Condit J, Epstein SE. Verapamil therapy: a new approach to pharmacological treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Chest 1980;78:239 –247. 35. Rosing DR, Condit JR, Maron BJ, Kent KM, Leon MB, Bonow RO, Lipson LC, Epstein SE. Verapamil therapy: a new approach to the pharmacological treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: effects of long-term administration. Am J Cardiol 1981;48:545 –553. 36. Bonow RO, Rosing DR, Bacharach SL, Green MV, Kent KM, Lipson LC, Maron BJ, Leon MB, Epstein SE. Effects of verapamil on left ventricular systolic function and diastolic filling in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 1981;64: 787 –796. 37. Bonow RO, Frederick TM, Bacharach SL, Green MV, Goose PW, Maron BJ, Rosing DR. Atrial systole and left ventricular filling in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: effect of verapamil. Am J Cardiol 1983;51:1386 –1391. Downloaded from http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on September 9, 2014 References 1733 1733a 61. Ommen SR, Maron BJ, Olivotto I, Maron MS, Cecchi F, Betocchi S, Gersh BJ, Ackerman MJ, McCully RB, Dearani JA, Schaff HV, Danielson GK, Tajik AJ, Nishimura RA. Long-term effects of surgical septal myectomy on survival in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005; 46:470 – 476. 62. Ball W, Ivanov J, Rakowski H, Wigle ED, Linghorne M, Ralph-Edwards A, Williams WG, Schwartz L, Guttman A, Woo A. Long-term survival in patients with resting obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy comparison of conservative versus invasive treatment. JACC 2011;22:2313 –2321. 63. Olivotto I, Cecchi F, Casey SA, Dolara A, Traverse JH, Maron BJ. Impact of atrial fibrillation on the clinical course of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 2001;104:2517 –2524. 64. Fuster V, Ryden LE, Cannom DS, Crijns HJ, Curtis AB, Ellenbogen KA, Halperin JL, Kay GN, Le Huezey JY, Lowe JE, Olsson SB, Prystowsky EN, Tamargo JL, Wann LS, Smith SC Jr, Priori SG, Estes NA 3rd, Ezekowitz MD, Jackman WM, January CT, Lowe JE, Page RL, Slotwiner DJ, Stevenson WG, Tracy CM, Jacobs AK, Anderson JL, Albert N, Buller CE, Creager MA, Ettinger SM, Guyton RA, Halperin JL, Hochman JS, Kushner FG, Ohman EM, Stevenson WG, Tarkington LG, Yancy CW. 2011 ACCF/AHA/HRS Focused Updates Incorporated Into the ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. Circulation 2011;123:e269 –e367. 65. Di Donna P, Olivotto I, Delcre` SD, Caponi D, Scaglione M, Nault I, Montefusco A, Girolami F, Cecchi F, Haissaguerre M, Gaita F. Efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathuy: impact of age, atrial remodelling, and disease progression. Europace 2010;12:347 –355. 66. Lombardi R, Rodriguez G, Chen SN, Ripplinger CM, Li W, Chen J, Willerson JT, Betocchi S, Wickline SA, Efimov IR, Marian AJ. Resolution of established cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and prevention of systolic dysfunction in a transgenic rabbit model of human cardiomyopathy through thiol-sensitive mechanisms. Circulation 2009;119:1398 –1407. 67. Marian AJ, Senthil V, Chen SN, Lombardi R. Antifibrotic effects of antioxidant Nacetylcysteine in a mouse model of human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutation. J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;47:827 –834. 68. Senthil V, Chen SN, Tsybouleva N, Halder T, Nagueh SF, Willerson JT, Roberts R, Marian AJ. Prevention of cardiac hypertrophy by atorvastatin in a transgenic rabbit model of human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circ Res 2005;97:285 –292. Epub 14 July 2005. 69. Patel R, Nagueh SF, Tsybouleva N, Abdellatif M, Lutucuta S, Kopelen HA, Quinones MA, Zoghbi WA, Entman ML, Roberts R, Marian AJ. Simvastatin induces regression of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and improves cardiac function in a transgenic rabbit model of human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 2001;104:317 –324. 70. Lim DS, Lutucuta S, Bachireddy P, Youker K, Evans A, Entman M, Roberts R, Marian AJ. Angiotensin II blockade reverses myocardial fibrosis in a transgenic mouse model of human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 2001;103: 789 –791. 71. De Resende MM, Kriegel AJ, Greene AS. Combined effects of low-dose spironolactone and captopril therapy in a rat model of genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2006;48:265 –273. 72. Semsarian C, Ahmad I, Giewat M, Georgakopoulos D, Schmitt JP, McConnell BK, Reiken S, Mende U, Marks AR, Kass DA, Seidman CE, Seidman JG. The L-type calcium channel inhibitor diltiazem prevents cardiomyopathy in a mouse model. J Clin Invest 2002;109:1013 –1020. 73. Westermann D, Knollmann BC, Steendijk P, Rutschow S, Riad A, Pauschinger M, Potter JD, Schultheiss HP, Tscho¨pe C. Diltiazem treatment prevents diastolic heart failure in mice with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Eur J Heart Fail 2006;8:115 –121. 74. D’hahan N, Taouil K, Dassouli A, Morel JE. Long-term therapy with trimetazidine in cardiomyopathic Syrian hamster BIO 14:6. Eur J Pharmacol 1997;328:163 –174. 75. Olivotto I, Ommen SR, Maron MS, Cecchi F, Maron BJ. Surgical myectomy versus alcohol septal ablation for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: will there ever be a randomized trial? J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;50:831–834. 76. Hirotaka K, Katsuya K, Yuichiro M, Nobuhisa H, Hiroshi K. Risk of sudden death in end-stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. J Cardiac Fail 2011;17:459 –464. 77. Maron MS, Olivotto I, Maron BJ, Prasad SK, Cecchi F, Udelson JE, Camici PG. The case for myocardial ischemia in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2009;54:866 –875. 78. Tsybouleva N, Zhang L, Chen S, Patel R, Lutucuta S, Nemoto S, DeFreitas G, Entman M, Carabello BA, Roberts R, Marian AJ. Aldosterone, through novel signaling proteins, is a fundamental molecular bridge between the genetic defect and the cardiac phenotype of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 2004;109: 1284 –1291. 79. Orenes-Pinero E, Hernandez-Romero D, Jover E, Valdes M, Lip GY, Marin F. Impact of polymorphims in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. J Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone Syst 2011;12:521 –530. Downloaded from http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on September 9, 2014 38. Udelson JE, Bonow RO, O’Gara PT, Maron BJ, Van Lingen A, Bacharach SL, Epstein SE. Verapamil prevents silent myocardial perfusion abnormalities during exercise in asymptomatic patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 1989;79:1052 – 1060. 39. Gistri R, Cecchi F, Choudhury L, Montereggi A, Sorace O, Salvadori PA, Camici PG. Effect of verapamil on absolute myocardial blood flow in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol 1994;74:363 –368. 40. Sherrid MV, Pearle G, Gunsburg DZ. Mechanism of benefit of negative inotropes in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 1998;97:41 –7. Erratum in: Circulation 1998;97:1026. 41. Suwa M, Hirota Y, Kawamura K. Improvement in left ventricular diastolic function during intravenous and oral diltiazem therapy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: an echocardiographic study. Am J Cardiol 1984;54:1047 – 1053. 42. Betocchi S, Piscione F, Losi MA, Pace L, Boccalatte M, Perrone-Filardi P, CappelliBigazzi , Briguori C, Manganelli F, Ciampi Q, Salvatore M, Chiariello M. Effects of diltiazem on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol 1996;78:451 –457. 43. Sugihara H, Taniguchi Y, Ito K, Terada K, Matsumoto K, Kinoshita N, Azuma A, Ushijima Y, Maeda T, Nakagawa M. Effects of diltiazem on myocardial perfusion abnormalities during exercise in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Ann Nucl Med 1998;12:349 – 354. 44. McTaggart DR. Diltiazem reverses tissue Doppler velocity abnormalities in preclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Heart Lung Circ 2004;13:39–40. 45. Treatment of preclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with diltiazem. http// clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00319982?term=hypertrophic+cardiomyopathy+ boston&rank=1. (26 May 2009). 46. Pollick C. Muscular subaortic stenosis: hemodynamic and clinical improvement after disopyramide. N Engl J Med 1982;307:997 –999. 47. Matsubara H, Nakatani S, Nagata S, Ishikura F, Katagiri Y, Ohe T, Miyatake K. Salutary effect of disopyramide on left ventricular diastolic function in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol 1995;26:768 –775. 48. Pollick C, Kimball B, Henderson M, Wigle ED. Disopyramide in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I. Hemodynamic assessment after intravenous administration. Am J Cardiol 1988;62:1248 –1251. 49. Sherrid MV, Barac I, McKenna WJ, Elliott PM, Dickie S, Chojnowska L, Casey S, Maron BJ. Multicenter study of the efficacy and safety of disopyramide in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;45:1251 –1258. 50. McKenna WJ, Oakley CM, Krikler DM, Goodwin JF. Improved survival with amiodarone in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and ventricular tachycardia. Br Heart J 1985;53:412 – 416. 51. Cecchi F, Olivotto I, Montereggi A, Squillatini G, Dolara A, Maron BJ. Prognostic value of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and the potential role of amiodarone treatment in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: assessment in an unselected nonreferral based patient population. Heart 1998;79:331 –336. 52. Paulus WJ, Nellens P, Heyndrickx GR, Andries E. Effects of long-term treatment with amiodarone on exercise hemodynamics and left ventricular relaxation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 1986;74:544 –554. 53. McKenna WJ, Harris L, Perez G, Krikler DM, Oakley C, Goodwin JF. Arrhythmia in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. II: Comparison of amiodarone and verapamil in treatment. Br Heart J 1981;46:173 –178. 54. Kyriakidis M, Triposkiadis F, Dernellis J, Androulakis AE, Mellas P, Kelepeshis GA, Gialafos JE. Effects of cardiac versus circulatory angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on left ventricular diastolic function and coronary blood flow in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Circulation 1998;97:1342 –1347. 55. Kawano H, Toda G, Nakamizo R, Koide Y, Seto S, Yano K. Valsartan decreases type I collagen synthesis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circ J 2005;69:1244 – 1248. 56. Araujo AQ, Arteaga E, Ianni BM, Buck PC, Rabello R, Mady C. Effect of Losartan on left ventricular diastolic function in patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol 2005;96:1563 – 1567. 57. Yamazaki T, Suzuki J, Shimamoto R, Tsuji T, Ohmoto-Sekine Y, Ohtomo K, Nagai R. A new therapeutic strategy for hypertrophic nonobstructive cardiomyopathy in humans. A randomized and prospective study with an Angiotensin II receptor blocker. Int Heart J 2007;48:715–724. 58. Penicka M, Gregor P, Kerekes R, Marek D, Curila K, Krupicka J; Candesartan use in Hypertrophic And Non-obstructive Cardiomyopathy Estate (CHANCE) Study Investigators. The effects of candesartan on left ventricular hypertrophy and function in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a pilot, randomized study. Mol Diagn 2009;11:35– 41. 59. Funck F, Bourmayan C, Cristofini P, Desnos M, Fernandez F, Benoit P, Wajman A, Gay J. Hemodynamic effects on intravenous propafenone in hypertrophic myocardiopathy. Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss 1988;81:525 –529. 60. Nagueh SF, Lombardi R, Tan Y, Wang J, Willerson JT, Marian AJ. Atorvastatin and cardiac hypertrophy and function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a pilot study. Eur J Clin Invest 2010;40:976–983. R. Spoladore et al. Pharmacological treatment of HCM 90. Ferrari R, Ceconi C. Selective and specific I(f) inhibition with ivabradine:new perspectives for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Expert Rev CardiovascTher 2011;9:959 –973. 91. Schimdt HH, Schimdt PM, Stasch JP. NO and Heam-independent soluble guanylate cyclase activators. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2009;191:309 –339. 92. Frey N, Luedde M, Katus HA. Mechanisms of disease: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Nat Rev Cardiol 2012;9:91–100. 93. Shivu GN, Abozguia K, Phan TT, Ahmed I, Henning A, Frenneaux M. (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure in vivo cardiac energetics in normal myocardium and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: experiences at 3T. Eur J Radiol 2012;73:255 –259. 94. Abozguia K, Elliott P, McKenna W, Phan TT, Nallur-Shivu G, Ahmed I, Maher AR, Kaur K, Taylor J, Henning A, Ashrafian H, Watkins H, Frenneaux M. Metabolic modulator perhexiline corrects energy deficiency and improves exercise capacity in symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 2010;122:1562 –1569. 95. Olivotto I, Coppini R, Ferrantini C, Del Lungo M, Stillitano F, Suffredini S, Sartiani L, Rossi A, Yacoub M, Belardinelli L, Cecchi F, Poggesi C, Cerbai E, Mugelli A. A translational approach to treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: pre-clinical rationale and design of a prospective randomized pilot trial with ranolazine [abstract]. G Ital Cardiol 2011;C248 (Suppl. 3):e75. 96. Wilson SR, Scirica BM, Braunwald E, Murphy SA, Karwatowska-Prokopczuk E, Buros JL, Chaitman BR, Morrow DA. Efficacy of ranolazine in patients with chronic angina observations from the randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled MERLIN –TIMI (Metabolic Efficiency With Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes) 36 Trial. J Am Coll Cardiol 2009;53:1510 –1516. 97. Bers DM. Calcium cycling and signaling in cardiac myocytes. Annu Rev Physiol 2008; 70:23 –49. 98. Somura F, Izawa H, Iwase M, Takeichi Y, Ishiki R, Nishizawa T, Noda A, Nagata K, Yamada Y, Yokota M. Reduced myocardial sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)ATPase mRNA expression and biphasic force-frequency relations in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 2001;104:658 – 663. 99. Harrison DC, Braunwald E, Glick G, Mason DT, Chidsay CA, Ross J Jr. Effects of beta adrenergic blockade on the circulation with particular reference to observations in patients with hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. Circulation 1964;29: 84 – 98. Downloaded from http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on September 9, 2014 80. Ho CY, Lopez B, Coelho-Filho OR, Lakdawala NK, Cirino AL, Jarolim P, Kwong R, Gonzalez A, Coan SD, Seidman JG, Diez J, Seidman CE. Myocardialfibrosisas an early manifestation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. N Engl J Med 2010;363: 552 –563. 81. Camici PG. Coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients with cardiomyopathies. Circ Heart Fail 2008;1:15. 82. Olivotto I, Girolami F, Sciagra` R, Ackerman MJ, Sotgia B, Bos JM, Nistri S, Sgalambro A, Grifoni C, Torricelli F, Camici PG, Cecchi F. Microvascular function is selectively impaired in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and sarcomere myofilament gene mutations. J Am CollCardiol 2011;58:839 –848. 83. Tanaka M, Fujiwara H, Onodera T, Hamashima Y, Kawai C. Quantitative analysis of narrowings of intramyocardial small arteries in normal heart as, hypertensive hearts and hearts with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation 1987;75: 1130– 1139. 84. Camici PG, Chiriatti G, Lorenzoni R, Bellina RC, Gistri R, Italiani G, Parodi O, Salvadori PA, Nista N, Papi L. Coronary vasodilation is impaired in both hypertrophied and nonhypertrophied myocardium of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a study with nitrogen-13 ammonia and positron emission tomography. J Am Coll Cardiol 1991;17:879–886. 85. Lorenzoni R, Gistri R, Cecchi F, Olivotto I, Chiriatti G, Elliott P, McKenna WJ, Camici PG. Coronary vasodilator reserve is impaired in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction. Am Heart J 1998;136: 972 –981. 86. Cecchi F, Olivotto I, Gistri R, Lorenzoni R, Chiriatti G, Camici PG. Coronary microvascular dysfunction and prognosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. N Engl J Med 2003;349:1027 –1035. 87. Mourad J, Hanon O, Deverre JR, Camici PG, Sellier P, Duboc D, Safar ME. Improvement of impaired coronary vasodilator reserve in hypertensive patients by low dose ace-inhibitor/diuretic therapy: a pilot PET study. JRAAS 2003;4:94 –95. 88. Neglia D, Fommei E, Varela-Carver A, Mancini M, Ghione S, Lombardi M, Pisani P, Parker H, D’Amati G, Donato L, Camici PG. Perindopril and indapamide reverse coronary microvascular remodelling and improve flow in arterial hypertension. J Hypertens 2011;29:364 –372. 89. Lovelock JD, Monasky MM, Jeong EM, Lardin HA, Liu H, Patel BG, Taglieri DM, Gu L, Kumar P, Pokhrel N, Zeng D, Belardinelli L, Sorescu D, Solaro RJ, Dudley SC Jr. Ranolazine improves cardiac diastolic dysfunction through modulation of myofilament calcium sensitivity. Circ Res 2012. Epub ahead of print. 1733b