A clinical trial led by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of a nasal spray called etripamil for treating recurrent paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) episodes at home. Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study showed that patients could safely use the experimental drug at home, potentially avoiding the need for repeated hospital visits for more invasive treatments. Dr. James Ip, the lead author of the study, has conducted multiple studies showing the potential of etripamil as an at-home treatment for PSVT.
PSVT is a condition characterized by sudden and recurrent rapid heart rhythms caused by abnormal electrical activity in the heart’s upper chambers. While not typically life-threatening, PSVT episodes can be distressing and lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and fainting. Treatment for PSVT often involves hospitalization for intravenous medication or cardiac ablation, a procedure that addresses the abnormal heart rhythm’s short circuits. Dr. Ip’s previous research indicated that a significant portion of patients with PSVT experienced symptom relief after taking etripamil, with an average relief time of 17 minutes.
The latest study, which enrolled 1116 patients at 148 sites in North and South America, aimed to assess etripamil’s safety and efficacy in a larger and more diverse patient population. Unlike previous studies, this trial did not require a pretest dose supervised by a physician and included patients with a history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, who were previously excluded. Patients self-administered the first dose of etripamil, monitored their heart for an hour with a home electrocardiogram monitor, and could self-treat up to four PSVT episodes with the nasal spray. Two-thirds of the patients experienced relief within an hour, with an average symptom relief time of 17 minutes. Common side effects included mild, temporary nasal symptoms that decreased with repeated use.
The study’s results provide real-world evidence supporting the safe and effective use of etripamil for treating multiple episodes of PSVT at home. The findings suggest that patients can successfully manage their condition without the need for frequent hospital visits or invasive procedures. By empowering patients to self-administer medication in response to PSVT episodes, etripamil could improve the quality of life for individuals with the condition. Future research may further explore the potential of nasal spray calcium-channel blockers like etripamil as convenient and accessible treatments for PSVT and other cardiac conditions. As a promising alternative to traditional hospital-based treatments, at-home medications like etripamil offer new possibilities for managing cardiovascular health effectively and efficiently.
