Pfizer drug reduces mortality in patients with fatal heart disease

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a rare, fatal under-diagnosed disease that usually affects men aged 60-plus, whereby amyloid fibrils made from misfolded transthyretin protein accumulate in the heart. In most patients, death is caused by sudden heart failure or heart-related issues. The trial revealed that patients with ATTR-CM who were treated with the investigational drug were 30% less likely to die than those treated with a placebo. The results, which were announced at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2018 in Munich, also showed that those treated with the medicine were 32% less likely to be hospitalized due to cardio problems. Tafamidis was well tolerated, too, and deemed comparable to the placebo in terms of safety.