Real‐world candidacy to mavacamten in a contemporary hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy population

Aims In the EXPLORER‐HCM trial, mavacamten reduced left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) and improved functional capacity of symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) patients. We sought to define the potential use of mavacamten by comparing real‐world HOCM patients with those enrolled in EXPLORER‐HCM and assessing their eligibility to treatment. Methods and results We collected information on HOCM patients followed up at 25 Italian HCM outpatient clinics and with significant LVOTO (i.e. gradient ≥30 mmHg at rest or ≥50 mmHg after Valsalva manoeuvre or exercise) despite pharmacological or non‐pharmacological therapy. Pharmacological or non‐pharmacological therapy resolved LVOTO in 1044 (61.2%) of the 1706 HOCM patients under active follow‐up, whereas 662 patients (38.8%) had persistent LVOTO. Compared to the EXPLORER‐HCM trial population, these real‐world HOCM patients were older (62.1 ± 14.3 vs. 58.5 ± 12.2 years, p = 0.02), had a lower body mass index (26.8 ± 5.3 vs. 29.7 ± 4.9 kg/m 2 , p < 0.0001) and a more frequent history of atrial fibrillation (21.5% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.027). At echocardiography, they had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, 66 ± 7% vs. 74 ± 6%, p < 0.0001), higher left ventricular outflow tract gradients at rest (60 ± 27 vs. 52 ± 29 mmHg, p = 0.003), and larger left atrial volume index (49 ± 16 vs. 40 ± 12 ml/m 2 , p < 0.0001). Overall, 324 (48.9%) would have been eligible for enrolment in the EXPLORER‐HCM trial and 339 (51.2%) for treatment with mavacamten according to European guidelines. Conclusions Real‐world HOCM patients differ from the EXPLORER‐HCM population for their older age, lower LVEF and larger atrial volume, potentially reflecting a more advanced stage of the disease. About half of real‐world HOCM patients were found eligible to mavacamten.