A Randomized, Double-blind Controlled Study Comparing LCZ696 to Medical Therapy for Comorbidities in HFpEF Patients

This study was a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, multi-center, parallel group, active controlled study to evaluate sacubitril/valsartan compared to individualized medical therapy on NT proBNP, exercise capacity, symptoms and QoL in patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular ejection (HFpEF) fraction (LVEF \> 40%). Patients were initially stratified into one of three strata according to prior treatment for comorbidities: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi), angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) or no prior renin angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi). Patients in each stratum were randomized in a 1:1 ratio and received either sacubitril/valsartan or comparator (i.e. enalapril for patients in ACEi strata, valsartan for patients in the ARB strata and placebo for patients in the No RASi strata). There was no designated proportion of patients planned in each stratum; the strata were populated based upon the patient's prior treatment regimen. The study consisted of a screening epoch of up to 2 weeks and a randomized treatment epoch of 24 weeks, which included a 1 to 4 week study drug up-titration epoch followed by a 20 to 23 week maintenance epoch. Uptitration to target doses was recommended to occur within the first four weeks of the study, and was performed by Investigator's discretion based on the patient's clinical status.