Orchestra BioMed Announces Publication of AVIM Therapy Clinical Data in JACC: Advances Demonstrating Potential to Improve Cardiac Function in Patients with Hypertension and Diastolic Dysfunction

Core Viewpoint - Orchestra BioMed announced the publication of clinical data demonstrating that AVIM therapy significantly improves cardiac function in patients with hypertension and diastolic dysfunction, which are key contributors to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) [1][2]. Group 1: Clinical Data and Findings - The publication titled "Effects of AtrioVentricular Interval Modulation (AVIM) Therapy in Subjects with Hypertension and Diastolic Dysfunction" reports a retrospective treatment-blinded analysis of MODERATO II patients [2]. - AVIM therapy significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) and improved echocardiographic markers of diastolic dysfunction, which is a common comorbidity in patients with isolated systolic hypertension [2][7]. - Key findings include a reduction in office SBP by 12.1±12.8 mmHg and ambulatory SBP by 8.3±9.7 mmHg over six months, both statistically significant (p<0.01 vs baseline) [8]. Group 2: Expert Commentary - Dr. Marat Fudim emphasized the clinical link between long-standing hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, and the development of HFpEF, noting that AVIM therapy may address this unmet medical need by providing sustained blood pressure reductions and improving ventricular compliance [4]. - Dr. Avi Fischer highlighted the potential of AVIM therapy to offer a differentiated, device-based approach for earlier intervention in disease progression, targeting both elevated systolic blood pressure and impaired diastolic function [4]. Group 3: Ongoing Studies and Future Directions - AVIM therapy is currently being evaluated in the BACKBEAT global pivotal study, which aims to support potential U.S. regulatory approval for use in pacemaker-indicated patients with uncontrolled hypertension [4][11]. - The BACKBEAT study will assess the safety and efficacy of AVIM therapy in patients with systolic blood pressure above target despite anti-hypertensive medication [11].