Clinical Trials

Inclusion Criteria

• Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥45% prior to study entry
• Symptom(s) of heart failure (HF) and requiring treatment with diuretic(s) for HF ≥30 days prior to study entry
• Current symptom(s) of HF
• Structural heart disease (left atrial enlargement or left ventricular hypertrophy) documented by echocardiogram
• At least one of the following
  • A HF hospitalization within 9 months prior to study entry
  • An elevated NT-proBNP

Exclusion Criteria

• Any prior measurement of LVEF < 45%
• Acute coronary syndrome (including MI), cardiac surgery, other major CV surgery within 3 months , or urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 30 days of entry
• Patients who have had an MI, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or other event within the 6 months prior to entry unless an echo measurement performed after the event confirms a LVEF ≥45%
• Current acute decompensated HF requiring therapy
• Patients who require treatment with 2 or more of the following
  • An angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)
  • An angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) 
  • A renin inhibitor
• Alternative reason for shortness of breath such as
  • Significant pulmonary disease or severe COPD
  • Hemoglobin (Hgb) <10 g/dl
  • Body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m2
• Systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 180 mmHg at entry, or SBP >150 mmHg and <180 mmHg at entry unless the patient is receiving 3 or more antihypertensive drugs
• Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply