Pilot Study of Slow Release Oral Milrinone in Patients With Advanced Heart Failure

Advanced heart failure (HF), ineffective pumping of the heart, is a common, life-threatening cardiovascular disorder, characterised by marked symptomatic limitation and frequent hospitalization. It is particularly prevalent in older individuals (up to 10% of the population) and it has become the most common cause for hospitalization in people >65yrs. As such it is also one of the leading consumers of healthcare spending. Recurrent hospitalization is frequently due in significant part to the lack of viable therapeutic options for severe HF. During hospital admission, medications through a drip to give through a vein (intravenous therapy), is required to improve heart pumping capacity (such as milrinone).They are frequently used and in many cases prolonged treatment periods of intravenous therapy are required. In a growing number of cases, there is a need to continue this treatment at home, however this is particularly costly and often complicated by intravenous line infection. As such there is an expanding need for therapeutic options in patients with advanced HF. Over 20 years ago, studies of the potential utility of a rapid release form of oral milrinone were examined, however these studies demonstrated adverse effects due to its quick release.

This study aims to determine the safety and tolerability of slow release oral milrinone in advanced HF patients with no further clinical option and to evaluate its effects on HF status.