Inspra Helps, Natrecor Useless for Heart Patients

There’s good news for millions of people with mild or moderate heart failure. Studies show that the Pfizer drug Inspra and an implanted device from Medtronic can boost survival and cut down on trips to the hospital.

However, another drug that has been used for nearly a decade, Johnson & Johnson’s Natrecor (NAY’-treh-kor), did little to help people with severe heart failure in a study aimed at resolving safety concerns. Doctors say the drug seems safe but does not markedly help shortness of breath or save lives.

The studies were presented Sunday at an American Heart Association conference in Chicago.

MARILYNN MARCHIONE, AP Medical Writer CHICAGO