Effects of Aliskiren on Patient With Heart Failure and a Normal Ejection Fraction

Inclusion Criteria

• Male or female ≥ 55 years of age
• Symptomatic HFNEF of at least 1 month duration.
• Reduced early diastolic mitral annular velocity by tissue Doppler
• Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 0.50)
• Baseline exercise intolerance
• Patients who are able to provide written informed consent
• Stable medical therapy for 30 days prior to screening

Exclusion Criteria

• Seated blood pressure ≥ 160/90 mmHg at Visit 1 (screening)
• Clinically significant pulmonary disease
• Known history of documented EF 325 pounds)
• Acute coronary syndrome within past 3 months
• Coronary artery revascularization within past 3 months
• Peripheral artery revascularization within past 3 months
• Acute cerebrovascular syndrome (stroke or TIA) within the past 3 months
• Uncontrolled symptomatic brady- or tachyarrhythmia
• Creatinine > 2.5 mg/dl at screening
• Potassium > 5.2 meq/l at screening
• Prior treatment with, hypersensitivity to, intolerance of or contra-indication to aliskiren
• Current treatment with antidepressant medication in the MAO(Monoamine Oxidase) inhibitor or SSRI(Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) class
• Current participation in another clinical trial
• Current treatment with both an ACE(Angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor and an angiotensin receptor antagonist.
• Known significant bilateral renal artery stenosis
• Serious non-cardiovascular disease severely limiting life expectancy
• Previous major organ (e.g., lung, liver, heart, kidney) transplantation or on a transplant waiting list
• Any condition that is likely to prevent the patient from complying with the requirements of the study or completing the study (e.g., history of poor compliance, alcohol or drug dependency, psychiatric illness, no permanent home)
• Pregnant women, nursing women, and women of childbearing potential.