Effects of Omecamtiv Mecarbil on Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: Results From the COSMIC-HF Study

Background: Chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction impairs health-related quality of life (HRQL). Omecamtiv mecarbil (OM)-a novel activator of cardiac myosin-improves left ventricular systolic function and remodeling and reduces natriuretic peptides. We sought to evaluate the effect of OM on symptoms and HRQL in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and elevated natriuretic peptides enrolled in the COSMIC-HF trial (Chronic Oral Study of Myosin Activation to Increase Contractility in Heart Failure).

Methods: Patients (n=448) were randomized 1:1:1 to placebo, 25 mg of OM BID, or to pharmacokinetically guided dose titration (OM-PK) for 20 weeks. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire was administered to assess HRQL at baseline, 16 weeks, and 20 weeks. The primary scores of interest were the Total Symptom Score, Physical Limitation Scale, and Clinical Summary Score.

Results: Mean change in score from baseline to 20 weeks for the Total Symptom Score was 5.0 (95% CI, 1.8-8.1) for placebo, 6.6 (95% CI, 3.4-9.8) for OM 25 mg (P=0.32 versus placebo), and 9.9 (95% CI, 6.7-13.0) for OM-PK (P=0.03 versus placebo); for the Physical Limitation Scale, it was 3.1 for placebo (95% CI, -0.3 to 6.6), 6.0 (95% CI, 3.1-8.9) for OM 25 mg (P=0.12), and 4.3 (95% CI, 0.7-7.9) for OM-PK (P=0.42); for the Clinical Summary Score, it was 4.1 (95% CI, 1.4-6.9) for placebo, 6.3 (95% CI, 3.6-9.0) for OM 25 mg (P=0.19), and 7.0 (95% CI, 4.1-10.0) for OM-PK (P=0.14). Differences between OM and placebo were greater in patients who were more symptomatic at baseline.

Conclusions: HRQL as measured by the Total Symptom Score improved in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction assigned to the OM-PK group relative to placebo. Ongoing trials are prospectively testing whether OM improves symptoms and HRQL in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01786512.