Aficamten improves exercise capacity in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Two studies found that the experimental drug aficamten improved exercise capacity and reported health in patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In a 517-patient trial, the aficamten group showed greater gains in peak oxygen consumption and diastolic function after 36 weeks.

• 517 participants received aficamten or placebo over 36 weeks
• Aficamten improved peak oxygen consumption and patient-reported health
• Diastolic function measures improved and cardiac stress markers fell
• Reversible decline in pumping ability occurred more often with aficamten