Effect of single doses of SLV306, an inhibitor of both neutral enclopepticlase and enclothelin-converting enzyme, on pulmonary pressures in congestive heart failure

SLV306, a potent neutral enclopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor with additional endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE)-inhibitory activity, in doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg reduced pulmonary and right atrial pressures, although there was not a clear dose response. Systemic blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output were unaffected. SLV306 increased plasma natriuretic peptides and big endothelin-1 levels in a dose-dependent manner, confirming NEP and ECE inhibition. The combined inhibition of NEP and ECE may be useful in heart failure by reducing right and left cardiac filling pressures. (C) 2004 by Excerpta Medical, Inc.