Promising data for serelaxin

Intriguing findings from the RELAX-AHF trial of serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin 2; RLX030, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) in patients with acute heart failure were presented by John Teerlink at the 2012 AHA Scientific Sessions and published in the Lancet. Patients hospitalized with acute heart failure commonly have a dismal prognosis. Despite decades of clinical trials, no clearly safe and beneficial treatment options have emerged. The aetiology of acute heart failure can be multifactorial, and patient presentation is highly variable. Management of this diverse syndrome in patients admitted to hospital is an ongoing clinical challenge.