A clinical trial led by Indiana University demonstrated that a drug called dexrazoxane could reduce heart failure and death risks for severe heart attack patients, with results presented at the 2026 European Society of Cardiology Congress. A separate project, CardioProtectMI, highlighted an investigational therapy, RTP-026, which may also curb reperfusion injury, a major cause of post-heart attack complications.
Clinical Trials Show Promise in Reducing Heart Failure
The SHIELD-MI trial, conducted by Indiana University’s Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center (CIRC), found that dexrazoxane significantly reduced intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This complication, which occurs after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), affects up to 40% of treated patients and increases the risk of heart failure and death. The phase 2 study, involving 123 participants, showed that those receiving dexrazoxane had improved myocardial preservation and higher left ventricular ejection fraction compared to the placebo group.
SHIELD-MI is the first clinical trial to show that a therapy delivered during the peri-reperfusion period can directly reduce intramyocardial hemorrhage while also limiting infarct size after STEMI,
said Keyur Vora, MD, lead author of the study. The drug, already approved for use in oncology to mitigate chemotherapy-induced heart damage, was well tolerated in the trial, with no serious adverse events reported.
New Therapy Aims to Address Reperfusion Injury
The CardioProtectMI project, funded by the European Innovation Council, is advancing an immunomodulatory therapy called RTP-026. Unlike traditional anti-inflammatory approaches, RTP-026 targets the body’s immune response to reperfusion injury, a process that can cause additional heart tissue damage after blood flow is restored.
RTP-026 aims to regulate the body’s immune response following reperfusion therapy,
said Thomas Jonassen, project coordinator and founder of ResoTher Pharma. The therapy is expected to limit infarct expansion and preserve heart function, with preclinical studies suggesting it could reduce post-infarction heart failure by over 20 %.
Following the completion of two study cohorts involving 64 participants, researchers noted that exposure levels of RTP-026 were within the therapeutic range, with no fatal cases or rehospitalizations due to major adverse cardiovascular events. Preliminary imaging data also indicated potential protection of heart tissue after reperfusion, supporting further clinical development of the therapy.
Beta-Blockers’ Role Reassessed in Heart Attack Care
A large-scale study published in The New England Journal of Medicine challenged the long-standing use of beta-blockers for all heart attack survivors. Researchers led by Valentín Fuster and Borja Ibáñez analyzed data from 18,000 patients across eight countries and found that beta-blockers provided no benefit for those who retained normal heart function after a heart attack. The findings, presented at the American Heart Association Annual Meeting, suggest that millions of people worldwide may be taking these drugs unnecessarily.
We’re talking about tens or hundreds of millions of people worldwide; it’s staggering,
said Ibáñez, scientific director of Spain’s National Center for Cardiovascular Research. The study, which included nearly 18,000 participants, found no difference in major cardiovascular events between patients taking beta-blockers and those who did not. The researchers emphasized that the drugs should only be prescribed for patients with specific medical needs, such as arrhythmias or chronic heart failure.
Fuster, who stopped prescribing beta-blockers for uncomplicated heart attacks a decade ago, noted that the widespread use of these drugs declined after the rise of coronary stent implantation.
Heart Valve Failure Treatment Options Expand
Severe aortic stenosis, a form of valvular heart disease, affects nearly 11 million people in the U.S., with many unaware of their condition until it becomes life-threatening. Dr. Mark J. TAVR involves inserting a new valve via a catheter, offering quicker recovery and fewer complications.
TAVR is the most commonly performed aortic heart valve procedure annually in the U.S. and has been performed nearly 3 million times worldwide,
said Russo. The procedure, which requires a small incision in the leg, is recommended for patients with severe aortic stenosis, even before symptoms develop.
However, the procedure carries risks, including stroke and arterial damage, and is not suitable for all patients. A multidisciplinary Heart Valve Team evaluates each case to determine the best treatment approach based on individual health status and disease severity.
