Therapeutic potential of nitroxyl (HNO) donors in the management of acute decompensated heart failure

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of hospital admission in the Western world, yet there remains a paucity of effective pharmacological management options. With the recent development of synthetic, next-generation nitroxyl (HNO) donors and their progress into clinical trials, it is timely to now provide an update on the therapeutic potential of HNO donors in the management of acute decompensated heart failure. In this article, we summarize current understanding of the pharmacology of HNO (in comparison with its redox sibling, nitric oxide), its spectrum of cardioprotective actions, and efforts to translate these into the clinic. Future research directions for this exciting new class of HF drugs are also considered.