Thousands of NHS patients are set to benefit from a new heart condition treatment as data from clinical trials indicates improved health outcomes for patients.
The treatment known as mavacamten can benefit patients on the health service after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved its use for patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Specifically, NICE has recommended mavacamten’s roll out for adults whose usual exercise leaves them with palpitations, shortness of breath or fatigue as a result of their condition.
Research has found that the treatment, when delivered in conjunction with standard care, is more effective that just the latter alone and that it could postpone or even avoid the need for invasive surgery.
Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterised by excessive heart muscle contraction, leading to thickness and stiffness which ultimately leads to the heart not being able pump enough blood around the body.
Heart failure and stroke are just some of the complications the disease can cause, with this latest recommendation expected to benefit approximately 7,000 people.
We’ve issued final draft guidance for mavacamten, the 1st treatment that targets heart condition obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It means around 7,000 people will now be able to access the treatment on the NHS. Read the full story here: https://t.co/VAmwJLJmt6 pic.twitter.com/Rr7CQvTLZq
— NICE (@NICEComms) June 2, 2023
“Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease for which, until now, there has been no specific treatment that targets its underlying cause,” NICE’s director of medicines evaluation, Helen Knight, said.
“The treatments currently used to try to manage symptoms are associated with side effects and are often ineffective. We’re therefore pleased to be able to recommend a treatment that has the potential to alter the course of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and offer greater hope to people with it.”
