National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita Hospital

Right ventricular dysfunction is the worst mortality predictor in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Recent animal PAH studies have demonstrated the benefit of partial fatty acid inhibitor such as trimetazidine in improving right ventricular function. Therefore, we hypothesize that trimetazidine can improve right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) in PAH patients.

Investigating the effect of  trimetazidine on right ventricle function in PAH patients.

We conducted 3 months randomized double blind placebo controlled trial on PAH patients at outpatient clinic in National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita Hospital Indonesia. Those who fulfilled the inclusion criteria will be randomized into trimetazidine or placebo group for 3 months on top of their standard PAH regime. Clinical and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) parameters will be evaluated before and after 3 months therapy. The primary outcome of this study is the differences of RVEF from CMR.

We randomly enrolled 26 PAH patients equally to receive placebo or trimetazidine for 3 months on top of their standard PAH regime. Total of 10 patients in each group was able to finish the study. There was significant improvement of RVEF in trimetazidine group 3.78 + 1.5% compared to placebo 2.76 + 1.6% (p 0.008, CI 1.96 to 10.96). Furthermore, we also observed improvement of functional capacity in trimetazidine group 0.24 + 0.09 compared to placebo -0.44 + 0.16 (p 0.002, CI 0.28 s/d 1.08).

Trimetazidine therapy for 3 months on top of standard PAH regime significantly improve RVEF and functional capacity in PAH patients.

Abstract P194 Figure. Effect of trimetazidine on RV function