Aficamten Receives EU Approval for Treatment of Hypertrophic CardiomyopathyThe European Union has granted approval for Aficamten, a new medication targeting adults with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). HOCM is the most common form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a progressive heart condition characterized by thickening of the heart muscle and reduced capacity of the left ventricle. HOCM is often caused by mutations in the sarcomere proteins of the heart muscle. The disease leads to a narrowing of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), obstructing the flow of blood from the heart. Commonly reported side effects include dizziness, systolic dysfunction (defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction below 50 percent), palpitations, and increased blood pressure.
