Tag: steven heitner

MyoKardia Announces Positive Result for Mavacamten for Treatment of HOCM

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This week, MyoKardia announced positive data on its experimental drug for HCM, mavacamten (formerly known as MYK-461), for obstructive HCM.

After 6 months on the drug, of the 13 patients enrolled in the open label extension to the Pioneer study, NYHA Class improved in 8 of 10 patients, while 7 of the 8 patients were considered asymptomatic by the end of the study.  

In addition to seeing an improvement in symptoms, patients also showed improvement to certain markers of cardiac function including left ventricular filling pressure,
NT-proBNP, a marker of cardiac wall stress, and left atrial volume index. Ejection fractions remained within normal levels for all patients in the study.

The complete results of this study will be presented by Oregon Health & Science University’s Dr. Steven Heitner at next weekend’s meeting of the American College of Cardiology in New Orleans.

DISCLOSURES:  HCMBEAT HAS RECEIVED UNRESTRICTED EDUCATIONAL GRANTS FROM MYOKARDIA.  ADDITIONALLY, CYNTHIA BURSTEIN WALDMAN OF HCMBEAT SERVES AS A PATIENT ADVISOR ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR MYOKARDIA’S EXPLORER TRIAL.

Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Improve HCM Symptoms

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This article by Dr. Stephen Heitner of Oregon Health & Science University covers some simple lifestyle changes that can help HCM patients feel much better. In particular, Dr. Heitner mentions:

  • Eating smaller meals and avoiding large carbohydrate rich meals.
  • Avoiding dehydration
  • Limiting alcohol
  • Avoiding exercise after eating
  • Engaging in moderate intensity exercise
  • Managing weight
  • Evaluating and treating sleep apnea and other sleep breathing disorders
  • Getting appropriate treatment for anxiety and depression

The above lifestyle changes, combined with appropriate medical treatment, will keep HCM patients feeling their best.

 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL HCM SUMMIT, PART IV

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Editor’s Note:  This is the 4th of 4 blog entries which summarizes the presentations given at the recent International HCM Summit VI in Boston.  The presenter and their hospital affiliation are noted below, along with the topic of their presentation.  When possible, you may access the presenters’ slides via hyperlink by clicking on the name. (Note that not all presenters made their slides available).

To see Part I of this series of highlights from the HCM Summit VI, click here, to see Part II of this series click here, and to see part III of this series. click here.

Continue reading “HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL HCM SUMMIT, PART IV” →