Transcript
Dr. Rader:
Hello from ACC 2026 here in New Orleans. I'm Dr. Florian Rader, and I'm the director of the HCM Center at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.
The field of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, has evolved tremendously with new therapies already available or several others in development as we speak. Cardiac myosin inhibitors, which target some of the underlying mechanisms of HCM, are incredibly effective and help patients live a better life. However, getting patients on these treatments isn't always straightforward, so let's talk about how we can overcome those barriers and ensure timely use of cardiac myosin inhibitors in the appropriate patients.
So cardiac myosin inhibitors are only available through a REMS program. The REMS stands for risk evaluation and mitigation. And although these REMS programs make sure that cardiac myosin inhibitors are being prescribed in a safe manner and they really work, it can also delay treatment or cause pause in some prescribers, who may just choose to stick with beta-blockers, which are just simply easier to prescribe.
However, recent data have shown that these beta-blockers, for example, are not nearly as effective as cardiac myosin inhibitors. Therefore, between clinical inertia and difficulties with insurance coverage, access to myosin inhibitors can really be a challenge.
To overcome these barriers, working together with an HCM specialty center can help provide optimal treatment for patients so they can feel their best and have the optimal outcomes we wish for. HCM centers are not only experienced with prescribing myosin inhibitors but also are more experienced to get those medications approved by insurances.
So if I have one call to action today, it would be don't let logistical complexity drive therapeutic inertia. Make sure you're taking the necessary steps to either navigate the REMS or collaborate with an HCM center that is experienced with the REMS program and prescribing cardiac myosin inhibitors.
From ACC 2026, I'm Dr. Florian Rader, and thank you for watching.