Extended Release Oral Milrinone, CRD-102, for Advanced Heart Failure

Although heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support are effective therapies for patients with advanced heart failure (HF), many patients are ineligible due to co-morbidities. Continuous home intravenous with positive inotropes such as milrinone are used in these patients to improve quality of life. We hypothesized that, unlike previous studies with oral milrinone, a slow-release formulation that provides stable lower plasma levels may be better tolerated and provide symptomatic benefit. Accordingly, we developed an extended release milrinone formulation (CRD-102) and evaluated its effects in 26 patients with no-option Stage D HF. One month after open-label therapy there were significant improvements in NYHA class, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure score and 6-minute walk distance. There was no evidence of hypotension or increased arrhythmic burden. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates evidence of beneficial actions of extended release milrinone in advanced HF. Longer-term randomized clinical trial data are required.