Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction and Secondary Mitral Regurgitation: Design and Rationale of the PRAISE-MR Trial

Abstract

Background: Secondary or functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) of atrial origin is prevalent in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and portends a worse clinical course. Unlike ventricular FMR, it lacks evidence-based treatment and is often overlooked. Sacubitril-valsartan may provide benefit in this HFpEF phenotype. Objective: To assess the impact of sacubitril-valsartan on exercise hemodynamics in patients with HFpEF and atrial FMR. Methods: This multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label trial with blinded endpoint assessment enrolls patients with stable HFpEF and at least moderate FMR documented within 1 year prior to enrollment. Participants are randomly assigned to sacubitril-valsartan plus standard medical therapy or to standard therapy alone, consisting of a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist and a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing with echocardiography is performed at baseline and after 6 months, with interval 24-hour home blood pressure monitoring to ensure blood pressure control in both arms. The primary endpoint is the change in exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension, assessed by the change in the mean pulmonary arterial pressure to cardiac output slope. This slope reflects total pulmonary resistance driven by both preand postcapillary factors, capturing key HFpEF features, including myocardial properties, vascular remodeling and the overall impact of (dynamic) atrial FMR. Secondary endpoints include changes in FMR severity, peak oxygen consumption, natriuretic peptide levels, left atrial size and function, and patient-reported outcomes. Prespecified adverse events include hypotension, renal failure, hyperkalemia, and angioedema. Conclusion: The PRAISE-MR (Sacubitril-Valsartan in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Secondary Mitral Valve Regurgitation) trial will evaluate whether sacubitril-valsartan, an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor, is beneficial in patients with HFpEF and atrial FMR. (J Cardiac Fail 2026;32:1041-1049)