Researchers are looking for a better way to treat children who have heart failure with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. This can lead to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and poor growth in children.
The study treatment, finerenone (also called BAY94-8862), works by blocking a protein involved in inflammation, scarring, and thickening of the heart and blood vessels. This may help the heart to pump blood more effectively. This is the first study to explore its use specifically for children with heart failure and LVSD.
The main purpose of this study is to learn if finerenone works to help the heart compared to placebo in children with heart failure and LVSD. For this, the researchers will collect and analyze data on the levels of a protein called NT-proBNP in the blood, which indicates heart stress, and monitor the safety of the treatment.
The study will include children with heart failure and LVSD aged from 6 months to less than 18 years. The study participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Based on their group, they will receive either finerenone or a placebo for a duration of 3 months. A placebo looks like a treatment but does not have any medicine in it. Throughout the study, all participants will continue to receive their standard heart failure treatments.
At the start of this study, the doctors will check each participant's medical history and current medications. If participants qualify for the treatment phase, they will undergo treatment for about 90 days. During this time, they will visit the study site at least 3 times. During these visits, the participants will:
* have their blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, height and weight measured * have their heart examined by electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram * have blood samples taken * have physical examinations * answer questions about their medication and whether they have any adverse events, or have their parents or guardians' answers
An adverse event is any medical problem that a participant has during a study. Doctors keep track of all adverse events that happen in studies, even if they do not think the adverse events might be related to the study treatments.
After the initial three-month study, eligible participants will have the option to join a nine-month open-label extension study where all will receive finerenone. Participants who choose not to enroll in the extension will have a follow-up visit 30 days after their last treatment.
Participants must be 6 months to <18 years old at the time when the informed consent/assent is signed.
Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 50% at screening assessed by echocardiography.
Elevated NT-pro BNP levels
>500 ng/l for children ≥ 6 months to < 2 years of age
> 5.0 mmol/L for children ≥ 2 years of age at either screening or randomization visit
> 5.3 mmol/L for children ≥ 6 months to < 2 years of age at either screening or randomization visit (if estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 60 mL/min/1.73m², threshold of > 5.0 mmol/L will be used)
Severe renal dysfunction with eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73m² at screening or randomization visit.
Systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 5th percentile for age, sex and height at screening or randomization.
Bayer
Lead sponsor