Clinical trials update from Heart Rhythm 2007 and Heart Failure 2007: CARISMA, PREPARE, DAVID II, SAVE-PACE, PROTECT and AREA-IN-CHF.

This article provides information and a commentary on trials relevant to the pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of heart failure, presented at Heart Rhythm 2007 organised by the Heart Rhythm Society which was held in Denver, USA and Heart Failure 2007 organised by the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology which was held in Hamburg, Germany. Unpublished reports should be considered as preliminary data, as analyses may change in the final publication. The CARISMA study suggests that non-invasive screening tests may help to identify post-MI patients who may benefit from ICD therapy. Data from the PREPARE study show that more conservative ICD programming can reduce morbidity at the cost of an increased risk of arrhythmic syncope. DAVID II indicates that atrial pacing may be a safe alternative to ventricular back-up pacing in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and standard indications for an ICD. The incidence of persistent atrial fibrillation in patients with sinus node disease in SAVE-PACE was reduced by dual chamber minimal ventricular pacing compared to conventional dual chamber pacing. The pilot phase of the PROTECT studies confirmed 30 mg as the dose of the selective A1 adenosine receptor antagonist KW-3902 to be used in pivotal studies. AREA-IN-CHF failed to show a beneficial effect of canrenone on LV volumes compared to placebo however some beneficial effects on secondary clinical endpoints were observed.